Protection of rivers is an act of devotion and responsibility: Union Minister The event reflected India’s strengthened resolve towards holistic river rejuvenation and sustainable environmental practices
A special event was organised in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of #WorldEnvironmentDay 2025, under the aegis of the ‘Namami Gange Mission’. Presided over by Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C.R. Patil, the event reflected India’s strengthened resolve towards holistic river rejuvenation and sustainable environmental practices.
The event centred around three key themes: Ecological restoration, Promotion of sustainable practices, and Integration of modern technology for river conservation.
In his address, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil emphasized that rivers like the Ganga are revered as ‘Maa’ in our culture, making their protection an act of devotion and responsibility. He highlighted plastic pollution as one of the greatest challenges and stressed the urgent need to curb pollution at its source, eliminate plastic use, and raise public awareness.
Minister praised the Namami Gange Mission for installing Sewage Treatment Plants across the Ganga basin to prevent untreated water from entering the river. He underscored the vital role of Ganga Praharis in cleaning and protecting the river and insisted on strict action against polluters.
Pointing to the presence of aquatic life as evidence of the river’s improving health, he advocated for natural farming practices that reduce chemical fertilizer use, thereby protecting both soil and water quality. He also affirmed the government’s commitment to conserving the Ganga’s tributaries, emphasizing that these efforts are crucial for securing a sustainable future for coming generations.
The event was graced by Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Rajeev Kumar Mital, Chandrpal Singh, MLA, Davendra Singh Lodhi, Sanjay Sharma, MLA, Shruti, District Magistrate, Bulandshahr, Dr. Ruchi Badola from the Wildlife Institute of India among other eminent guests.
It also saw enthusiastic participation from Ganga Praharis, volunteers from the Namami Gange project, experts from CIFRI, representatives from TSA, members of the NAPS, and the dedicated team of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)—all highlighting the strong collective commitment to river conservation and environmental awareness.
The event marked significant steps towards restoring the Ganga’s aquatic ecosystem. Shri C.R. Patil released fish fingerlings and turtles at Basi Ghat, Narora—a vital move to revive the aquatic food chain.
Patil also actively took part in a cleanliness drive at the ghat, joined by Ganga Praharis, volunteers, and municipal staff—reflecting the community’s and leadership’s commitment to river conservation. Additionally, a street play (Nukkad Natak) on the themes of personal responsibility, pollution control, and the spiritual and ecological significance of the Ganga was performed.
a vibrant tree plantation drive was conducted during the event, underscoring the role of afforestation in maintaining ecological balance. The plantation of around 100 trees were done dedicated to Maa Ganga in Gangamurti park. Afforestation is an important initiative in promoting sustainable management of river basin.
A key feature of the event was the launch of a drone and LiDAR survey to locate all the drains flowing in the Ganga river.
Source – sarkaritel.com
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