Govt cannot save rivers without public cooperation: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], Sept 23 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that the government alone cannot save rivers if the public doesn't join hands with it in the mission.

"The rivers cannot be saved by government alone, until and unless the public contribute, and make up their mind about saving rivers," Chouhan said in an event in Bhopal focusing on revitalizing the river bodies.

The event was a part of 'Rally for River' initiative taken up by spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who is covering 16 states across the country to spread the message of river conservation.

Making an observation on the reducing water level of River Ganga and River Narmada, Chouhan assured the spiritual leader that Madhya Pradesh government and the public in unison will begin campaign to save River Narmada, adding that the campaign cannot be successful without cooperation from public.

"After a discussion with Sadhguru, we have decided to begin tree plantation in river banks starting from Narmada River," Chouhan announced, and stressed on the importance of tree plantation across the state as a pre-requisite for saving rivers.

The MP CM concluded his speech by urging all present to take a pledge to lend their support to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and his Isha foundation by working towards saving the rivers.

MP government also sanctioned Rs 850 crore towards the campaign.

The event was held in CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence.

Under his 'Rally for Rivers' initiative, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev today reached Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal. The rally that began from September 3 in Coimbatore will cover 16 states, and end on October 2 after reaching New Delhi. (ANI)