An attempt to save rivers

In a bid to save the rivers, Hyderabad denizens have participated in a rally on the streets of the city with t-shirts, placards, headgears and stickers urging people to ‘Rally for Rivers’ by giving a missed call to 8000980009. Each missed call would be a vote of support for rejuvenating our rivers. Dr Raghu Ram, Shilpa Reddy, Jwala Gutta and many other people from all walks of life held placards at KBR Park on Friday to create this much-needed awareness.

‘Rally for Rivers’ campaign was started by Sadhguru, founder of Isha Yoga Centre recently to save the rivers. As a part of the campaign, Sadhguru will personally drive through 16 states from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas between September 3 and October 2 for the support of people. Along the way, there will be 23 major events and a host of awareness campaigns, to touch every segment of the society.

An expert committee of environmental scientists and lawmakers are in the process of drawing up a draft policy recommendation, which suggests that, a simple yet effective means to replenish rivers. The policy is to create a kilometre-wide tree cover on the riverside. To plant forest trees on government land, and fruit trees on farm land. This will ensure our rivers are fed throughout the year by the moist soil, and will also reduce floods, drought and soil loss.

Dr Raghu Ram, Isha Volunteer and Director, KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases, said, “Due to pressures of population and development, our perennial rivers are becoming seasonal and many small rivers have already vanished. About five per cent of India is turning into a desert and in 15 years’ time, we will have only half the water that we need for survival. Today’s campaign in the city, which is part of the pan-India campaign is to sensitise people about these stark realities and request them to be part of a national movement to save our rivers by giving a missed call to 8000980009.”