On May 15, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Narmada Seva Mission’, which enlists steps to be taken for the conservation of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh. PM Modi launched this mission document at the concluding ceremony of the ‘Namami Devi Narmade Sewa Yatra’ at Amarkantak in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak is the origin place of River Narmada.
About ‘Namami Devi Narmade Sewa Yatra’:
‘Namami Devi Narmade Sewa Yatra’, an awareness campaign for conservation of River Narmada was launched by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on December 11, 2016 from Amarkantak.
- A core team of 50 sevaks covered a distance of 1831 km on the southern bank of the river and 1513 km on the northern bank passing through nearly 1100 villages and towns. Various public functions and events were organised along the course of the yatra for involving masses in this conservation campaign.
- Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and spiritual leader Dalai Lama extended support to this campaign.
- Over 700 Narmada Seva Committees have been formed and more than 74000 volunteers have registered as Narmada Sevaks to participate in cleaning and conserving the river.
- In March 2017, Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed a resolution to declare Narmada as living entity. This decision will help in controlling pollution, illegal mining on the river banks and will save the river from getting depleted.
Facts about Narmada River:
Narmada is a westward flowing river that originates from Amarkantak in Anooppur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is also called ‘Rewa’.
- Originating in Madhya Pradesh, it proceeds through Maharashtra and Gujarat. It drains into Arabian Sea through Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat.
- Narmada River is a source of irrigation and also provides drinking water to about 4 crore people in these three states.
- Madhya Pradesh generates over 2400 MW of hydropower through projects built on Narmada River.
