Universities’ role in river conservation to be fixed: Laxmikant Sharma

Bhopal: Higher Education Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma has said that a long-term policy will be framed to fix responsibility of universities in river conservation. At a high-level meeting held regarding the 3rd International River Festival-2013, Shri Sharma directed officers to chalk out an action plan for participation in the event. Member of Parliament and Convener of River Festival Shri Anil Madhav Dave was especially present at the meeting.
Shri Sharma said that colleges affiliated to Narmada region universities of Jabalpur, Bhopal and Indore will participate in International River Festival. Selection of colleges and students will be made soon. All universities will implement the action plan to be chalked out for river conservation on the basis of the Festival’s recommendations.
Convener of River Festival Shri Anil Madhav Dave informed that Madhya Pradesh is the only state in Asia where River Festival is held. The festival this year will be held at Bandrabhan in Hoshangabad district from February 8 to 10. Its theme will be “Our rivers, policies, rules and leadership”. He said that changes in rivers affect all. Only society can do the river conservation work, he added. The Government can play the role of advisor in this work. During the three-day festival, discussions on policy will be held on the first day, rules on the second day and leadership on the third day. The leadership will include all sectors including administrative, political, religious and economic. Shri Dave said that he had suggested to the Prime Minister to constitute a River Science Institute for constant monitoring of rivers. It is a matter of pleasure that a project is getting prepared in this direction.
Secretary Higher Education Shri J.N. Kansotiya suggested to include river conservation in syllabus and promote research. Vice-chancellors of Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal and Makhanlal Chaturvedi University of Journalism, Bhopal and Director of National Law University, Bhopal also put forth their suggestions at the meeting.