CM appeal for public participation in Rispana Rejuvenation campaign
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat will start the Rispana river rejuvenation campaign from July 22, 2018. A total of 2.50 lakh saplings will be planted during the campaign which will be started from Kerva village. All the educational institutions, voluntary organizations, different social bodies and general public will participate in the campaign in Dehradun.
The Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat has appealed to the people of the state to actively participate in the campaign to rejuvenate Rispana river to its old glory of Rishiparna. The Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat in his blog “ Public campaign to rejuvenate rivers” has also expected that general public will whole heartedly participate in this public campaign.
The Chief Minister in his blog wrote,” Rivers have played a significant role in the development of human civilization since time immemorial. The rivers not only quench our thirst but also influence our economy in one way or other. The importance of rivers in Uttarakhand , which is the origin place of Ganga and Yamuna rivers is not hidden from anyone. So, our responsibility towards rivers is more important. It is a sad fact that the growing race of urbanization and materialism has impeded the flow of the rivers. The rivers are getting depleted. The Rispana river starting from Shikhar fall in “Dronnagri” Dehradun was once its’ pride. In ancient times, this river was known as ‘Rishiparna’. However, today, Rispana is in a pathetic state. The river which flowed seamlessly has now been converted into a dirt drain.
The day I got a chance to serve the state as its Chief Minister, the question arose many times in my mind that why Rispana has been made to suffer. We all are responsible for its plight. That’s’ why, our government has taken a resolve to work in the direction of conserving the rivers, natural water sources, Naulas, Dharas and water sources of Uttarakhand. To start with, we have decided to take up the mission of rejuvenating Rispana river in Dehradun and Kosi River in Almora. In November 2017, I had gone to Shikhar fall, the origin place of Rispana river and taken a resolve for “Mission Rispana to Rishuiparna”. I had not expected at that moment that our thought will become a public campaign. Believe me, the kind of support we are getting for this mission, the days are not far when our Rispana river will again flow in its’ old glory of Rishiparna.
In our resolve to save Rispana, the first thing which came to our mind was that it was only through tree plantation that the river could be saved. That’s’ why before the start of tree plantation drive in monsoon season, we started digging pits from May 19, 2018. In this work, everyone including children, old, women, youth and every section of the society participated overwhelmingly. We started realizing that this resolve of the state government has now turned into a public mission. Similarly on the lines of Rispana rejuvenation, the work on Kosi river rejuvenation has also been going on speedily. Harela festival has given strength to our campaign. On the occasion of Herala festival on July 16, 2018 we started the campaign through tree plantation drive from Rudradhari in Almora. Every section of the society has been contributing in this pious work. This resulted in plantation of more than 1,67,755 saplings within a hour on the banks of river Kosi. This achievement will be recorded in the ‘Limca book of records’ soon.
To surpass the bench mark set at Kosi plantation drive, a tree plantation drive on Risapana river bank will be held on July 22. School students of more than 40 schools, social and environment bodies, women, children, old and students will participate in the drive. A target to plant more than 2.50 lakh saplings along river Rispana has been fixed.
Through this blog, I appeal to all the concerned citizens to participate in the drive to beautify our earth, preserve environment and to conserve our water resources. This campaign is not of any particular person or government but this a mass public campaign and everyone should contribute to make this pious campaign a success. Our state is very close to the nature that why we have greater responsibility also. This is land of Ganga, and land of Bhagirathi. Can’t we make an effort to save Rispana and Kosi rivers like Bhagirath. We celebrate the festival of Harela which teaches us tree plantation and should also have feelings in our hearts that to save our water resources is our own responsibility. I am hopeful that with public cooperation, we will be able successful to rejuvenate Riaspana ,Kosi and other rivers like the Britishers converted their polluted Thames river into a clean river.”