Hoshangabad: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged people to convert the mass plantation drive on the banks of River Narmada on July 2 into a ‘people’s festival’. Addressing the district collectors and SPs through video-conferencing, he said that the campaign was a challenge for all of us. He sought full participation by the common people including NGOs, social and religious organisations, students, people’s representatives, officers and employees in the campaign.
He said that before plantation, an ‘aarti’ of Ma Narmada should be performed during which Narmada Seva Geet or Narmadasthak should be played or sung. This will create a ‘positive atmosphere’ for plantation. He said that arrangements for security of the planted sapling should also be made.
Taking part in the video-conferencing, forest minister Gaurishankar Shejwar, chief secretary BP Singh and principal secretary RS Julania also issued instructions about plantation. He said that he will take part in the plantation programme at Amarkantak, Jabalpur and Khandwa districts.
Taking part in the video-conferencing, MLA Sohagpur Vijaypal Singh said that adequate arrangements have been made in the district for the plantation. Municipality chairperson Akhilesh Khandelwal said that more one lakh saplings will be planted in the town.
Collector Avinash Lavania said that 96,000 members of Narmada Parivar will join the drive. He said that the process of transporting the saplings to the designated places has begun.
Among others, commissioner Umakant Umrao, Janpad Panchayat chief Sangeeta Solanki, additional commissioner RK Mishra, DFO Vijay Singh, CEO, district Panchayat PC Sharma, additional collector Manoj Sariyam and others took part.
