Kshipra: Post Kumbha Plan

Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji had a special meeting with Mela Administration, led by the dynamic and dedicated Mela Adhikari, Shri Avinash Lavania, to plan post Kumbha efforts, urging the formation of a committee and active involvement of all stakeholders to achieve this crucial task.

Pujya Swamiji shared, “It is due to the great efforts of the administration that today we have the beautiful, healthy and holy waters of the River Narmada to bathe in. However, our Kumbha will truly be successful and fruitful if we all can join together to ensure that we no longer need to channel our resources to provide a Rented Kshipra but can actually provide and maintain a Real Kshipra. How long will we be inter-linking rivers without simultaneously working to restore and replenish their natural source. The time has come that our melas should not only be focused on what we can take from the River but also how we can give back to them. It is beautiful to see the great enthusiasm, dedication and commitment of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Mela Adhikari to ensure that the post Kumbh plans include a clean, green and real Kshipra for all.”

During the recent Vaicharik Maha Kumbha, Pujya Swamiji inspired the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhanji by giving him a beautiful tree sapling during the closing session of the first day of the International Conference. Upon receiving the plant, the Hon’ble Chief Minister pledged his full support to these efforts.

During the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit at the concluding day of the International Conference, Respected Shri Shivraj Chouhanji said, “I ask the farmers to start planting fruit-yielding trees. I know it will take at least 3-4 years for the trees to start bearing fruits. I promise that the Madhya Pradesh government will compensate for the losses farmers incur during this period,” The chief minister also announced plans to launch a massive plantation drive from Amarkantak. “I will also take to the streets for one day and ask people from different quarters to follow suit to generate awareness about trees,” he said, explaining that these are part of the message that emerged from Simhastha to which the state wants to give shape on the ground.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji also expressed the great importance of restoring the green cover along rain-fed rivers, such as the sacred River Kshipra and Narmada.

Pujya Swamiji has connected revered faith leaders, seers and saints to the initiative as well as corporates, NGO’s and many key stakeholders to offer their support to these efforts. When Pujya Swamiji shared these plans briefly with Mananiya Mohan Bhagawatji, Sarsanghchalak RSS, he happily offered the first tree to these greening efforts. Pujya M.M. Swami Satyamitranandji, Pujya M.M. Swami Avdheshanand Giriji, Pujya Jaggi Vasudevji, Pujya Mahant Hari Giriji, Pujya Mahant Ravinder Puriji as well as many others have also given their support for these efforts.

In today’s meeting at the Mela Office, Pujya Swamiji advised for the formation of a committee under which the greening efforts would be undertaken. In this committee would be members of the Forest Department, including Ujjain Assistant Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Shri PC Dubey, members of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Director General of Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, Scientific Advisor to Chief Minister, Shri Pramod Kumar Vermaji, amongst others. The plantation of plant fruit bearing trees and usable plants like bamboos, tamarind, jamun, neem, peepal, banyan and bael were part of the comprehensive report that was submitted by the committee to the administration.

It was also emphasized that along with wide scale tree plantation during the upcoming monsoon, efforts would be made to ensure maintaining minimum dilution flow, formation of wetland systems, digging deep wells and ponds at spots where the river meanders, which will help collect rainwater, recharge aquifers and maintain adequate flow in the river as well as year-round reaeration and disinfection of the River Kshipra.

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