Intensive plantation programme Namami Devi Narmade on Narmada banks from November 11

Bhopal. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that an intensive plantation programme Namami Devi Narmade Abhiyan on Narmada banks will be launched from November 11. During Abhiyan saplings would be planted on both the banks of Narmada with community participation. The Chief Minister was holding discussions with Swami Samarth Bhaiyaji Sarkar, who is founder of Samarth Narmada Mission, Jabalpur (Patan) at Vaishali Nagar here today. He offered juice to Swami Samarth Bhaiyaji Sarkar to break his 17-month old hunger strike for Narmada purification.

The Chief Minister said that the state government would give compensation for 3 years to farmers for plantation of fruit-bearing tree saplings on the private lands. Cooperation of saints and all sections will be taken in Abhiyan. An action plan of Rs. 1500 crore has been chalked out to prevent pollution in Narmada due to filthy nullahs. Illegal mining from Narmada river will be strictly curbed. Swami Samarth Bhaiyaji Sarkar said that atmosphere should be created in the state to make Narmada pollution-free. People should be made aware about importance of trees. Shri Vijesh Lunawat and Shri Anil Agrawal were also present on the occasion.