PM Launches Narmada Seva Mission for Conservation of Narmada

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Narmada Seva Mission for the conservation of river Narmada, which is a lifeline of Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister released a road map for the series of steps to be taken for the conservation of Narmada river. The roadmap envisaging the conservation efforts has been taken after wide-ranging consultations with various stakeholders, including environmentalists, river conservation experts among others. The event was held at Amarkantak in Anooppur district of Madhya Pradesh. The event also marked the conclusion of ‘Namami Devi Narmade Sewa Yatra’. 

Namami Devi Narmade Sewa Yatra

Namami Devi Narmade Sewa Yatra was launched on December 11, 2016 from Amarkantak, the origin place of the River Narmada. The yatra covered a distance of 3,344 km and passing through over 1,100 villages and towns and concluded on May 15, 2017. The yatra is hailed as as the world’s “biggest river conservation campaign with public participation.”

Background

The river Narmada originates from the Maikal hills and flows 1,312 km before draining through the Gulf of Khambhat into the Arabian Sea. Narmada, Tapti and Mahi are the only three major rivers in the country that flows from east to west. The river acts as a source of  irrigation to about 17 lakh hectares of land and provides drinking water to more than four crore people. It also acts as a source for generating over 2400 megawatts of power from hydropower plants situated on the river.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently has found out in the Narmada river at least in three stretches water quality is not even fit for bathing. The Madhya Pradesh state government in its budget estimate for 2016-17 has allocated Rs 2095.31 for the Narmada valley development. In the state more than 700 Narmada seva committees and over 74000 Narmada sevaks have registered to protect the river.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2017