Water is life. For centuries the availability and use of water has been associated with the course of existence and development of human civilisation. ‘Jal hai toh kal hai ‘- the importance of this statement is understood by most of the people of Rajasthan because the accumulation and conservation of water is the heritage of the state and also the need. At present, the responsibility of carrying forward this legacy of historical water culture of Rajasthan has been taken up by Bhagirath CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. In Rajasthan, on Ganga Dussehra and World Environment Day (June 5), a special campaign was launched for two important elements of nature – water and trees. With the Shramdaan by the Chief Minister at the Ramgarh Dam in Jaipur, the ‘Vande Ganga’ water conservation-people’s campaign was launched simultaneously across the state. At the same time, he planted a vermilion sapling under the ‘Ek Tree Maa Ke Naam’ campaign to take the message of environmental protection to the masses and take forward the works related to it.
With the vision of the CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, the construction of water storage structures, cleaning of water sources, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies have been started in all the districts from June 5 to June 20 through the ‘Vande Ganga’ water conservation-people campaign. At the same time, Vande Ganga Kalash Yatra and reservoir worship program are being organised to make it a public campaign. People are being made aware of the importance of water conservation. This campaign will be helpful in increasing the groundwater level of the state and in collecting the water that goes waste in the rain. Important decisions have already been taken in the direction of water conservation in the state. A target has been set to construct about 45 thousand water conservation structures in four years through the Karmabhoomi to Mathrubhumi campaign.
The State Government under the leadership of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma is also actively fulfilling its responsibility to protect the environment and prevent the ill-effects of climate change. In order to realise the dream of Green Rajasthan, the Chief Minister appealed to the people to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle and plant and take care of a sapling in the monsoon under the ‘Ek Vriksha Maa Ke Naam’ campaign on the occasion of World Environment Day at the state level function on June 5. He also informed that with the first green budget of the state government, the state is moving towards clean water, clean air and clean soil. The Chief Minister inaugurated 11 e-waste collection vehicles, CETP Sanganer, sewerage treatment plants in 6 major hospitals of the state, five Lav Kush Vatikas, Machhla Magra Nagar Van and Risala Green Lungs in Udaipur and Beed Papad Safari, Circular Economy Incentive Scheme and Management System 2.0 in Jaipur. All these works are a reflection of the environment friendly thinking and policies of the Chief Minister.
In a series of other programmes held in the State on 5th June itself, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma offered prayers at Keshav Ghat at Keshoraypatan in Bundi with the chanting of Chambal Maa (River Charmanyavati). Under the ‘Vande Ganga’ water conservation-people’s campaign, the Chief Minister participated in the Chunari Mahotsav, connecting our culture with water conservation. The Chunri offered by him was carried by boat and boats from Keshav Ghat to Rangpur Ghat on the Chambal river. At Shri Keshav Rai Temple, the Chief Minister was given a felicitation letter by the priests for this campaign of water conservation. The Chief Minister undertook an aerial survey of various components of the revamped Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project before the event at Keshoraypatan in Bundi district. He visited the construction sites of the under-construction Isarda Dam, the newly constructed Navnera Barrage and the Aqueduct on the Chambal River.
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma offered special prayers at Ganga Mata Temple in Bharatpur on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra and World Environment Day. He distributed prasadam, prasadam and holy water to the devotees. After this, he also visited the Bihari temple. The Chief Minister offered prayers and lit lamps at the historic Sujan Ganga canal in Bharatpur to make water conservation a people’s campaign.
Under this campaign, which will continue till June 20, various activities will be organised in the coming days, including the launch of the works of new water harvesting and water conservation structures, the dedication of the works done under the Karmabhoomi to Mathrubhumi campaign and the approval of new works, the cleaning of Johad stepwell and other water sources, plantation drives, various public awareness campaigns towards environment and water conservation and workshops on water conservation.
Under the able leadership of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, the State Government is continuously working to meet the water needs of the common people, farmers and industries of the State. With the effective decisions and far-sightedness of the Chief Minister, the State Government has promoted water harvesting and conservation in the State through various projects including Ramjal Setu Link Project, Yamuna Jal Samjhauta, Indira Gandhi Canal, Dewas Project, Mahi Dam, Som-Kamla-Amba in one and a half years.