Union Jal Shakti minister pushes to conserve rivers
World Environment Day
' programme at Bulandshahr on Thursday, where he planted a sapling and released fish fingerlings into the Ganga. Remarking that in Indian culture, every river is revered as a mother, Patil said that conserving rivers was not just a responsibility but an act of devotion.
He identified plastic pollution in rivers as one of the biggest challenges of the present times and highlighted the importance of eliminating the use of plastic.
"Until we realise that the Ganga is not just a river but a life-giving force, our conservation efforts will remain incomplete," he said. Patil highlighted the role of the Namami Gange programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and spoke about how the sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed across the Ganga basin worked to stop untreated water from entering the river.
Patil interacted with 200 'Ganga praharis' and praised them for not only cleaning the river themselves but also stopping others from polluting it. He also visited the Ganga Aqua Life Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Narora, a centre working on the conservation of Gangetic dolphins, freshwater turtles and other aquatic species. He released fish fingerlings into the Ganga at Narora Ghat, a step seen as crucial for restoring the aquatic food chain.
A specially designed mobile bus operated by the National Book Trust (NBT) was also launched at the event. The bus will travel to rural and semi-urban areas to promote environmental awareness through literature, storytelling and interactive learning.
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