The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the pilot project for revitalization of the Waghari River in Yavatmal on March 5. The Agriculture Department had earmarked Rs.415 crores for project implementation.
The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the pilot project for revitalization of the Waghari River in Yavatmal on March 5. The Agriculture Department had earmarked Rs.415 crores for project implementation.
The Cabinet approval also includes formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle for the project which will have a representation from members of Rally for Rivers and other technical experts.
The government has subsequently released a government resolution which formalizes the project. Rally for Rivers, spearheaded by Sadhguru, Founder, Isha Foundation will work with the Government of Maharashtra towards revitalization of the Waghari River in Yavatmal district.
To revitalize Waghari, improve soil fertility and farmers’ economy, the project entails plantation on both sides of the river to form the active mark of the floodplains. This would facilitate local farmers to shift from crop-based agriculture to chemical-free farming to improve soil fertility, increasing horticulture fruit tree cultivation and medicinal tree-based agriculture in the region, use of micro-irrigation methods, afforestation on government land through large-scale public participation and creation of infrastructure and support systems for farmers’ produce through public-private partnership.
Sadhguru and the Rally for Rivers expert team made a detailed presentation to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Forest Minister Sudhir Munghantiwar on 7 August last year in Mumbai, pursuant to which a Detailed Project Report for revitalization of Waghari was submitted in November 2018.
The project will be executed by ‘Nadi Veeras’ who joined the Rally for Rivers team full-time in early 2018 after Sadhguru made a clarion call to the youth of India to join hands to revitalize India’s severely depleting rivers.
Speaking on the Government approval of the project, Sadhguru said, “It is heartening to see the speed and commitment with which Government of Maharashtra has approved the Detailed Project Report for revitalization of the Waghari River in Yavatmal, which is the epicenter of India's painful farmer suicide story.
The project will not only support the river and biodiversity around the river but also boost farmers' income manifold, thereby enhancing rural economy. We want to establish this as a model for the nation and the world for sustainable agriculture leading to robust economic progress and river revitalization,” added Sadhguru.