Ranikhet: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat has said that priority should be given to public cooperation only then the Kosi river rejuvenation programme could be taken up as a campaign. This was stated by him while addressing a meeting held on rejuvenation of Kosi river at Woods Villa resort at Majkhali on Monday. He said that earlier 48 water resources used to form Kosi river but now only 8 water bodies merge in the river. He said that it was matter of grave concern and taking a serious note, the state government has started an ambitious plan to rejuvenate Kosi in kumoan region and Rispana river in Dehradun. He directed the officials involved in the campaign to complete all the arrangements for the campaign on time.
Chief Minister said that on the occasion of Harela festival on July 16, the campaign to rejuvenate Kosi river will be started from the point where it originates. On that every day, ten lakh saplings of plants which include broad leaved plants and forest fruits trees will be planted. He said preparations are underway for the campaign. He said that the suggestions of Prof. J.S. Rawat of NRDAMS are given special attention for the campaign. He said that nodal officers appointed for all 14 zones are working for the campaign. The campaign is being run in 109 villages falling in the catchment area of Kosi in Havalbagh and Takula developmental blocks.
On the occasion, he sought information from Almora District Magistrate Eva Ashish on the works done and asked that people’s participation should be ensured in the campaign. He asked the forest department officials to provide their full support. The Chief Minister praised the efforts of the district administration.
He said that it was matter of pride that Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Himayalan Environment Institute and Vivekanand Agriculture Research Institute, both government of India bodies are also fully involved in the campaign. He appealed to voluntary organizations, Women self-help groups, Nav Mangal Dals, Mahila Mangal dals and others, to participate in the rejuvenation campaign. He said that to bring in qualitative changes in education, two high quality schools , one each in Garhwal and Kumoan will be established soon. He said that the land for the school in Garhwal has been made available while directions have been given to Kumaon Commissioner to select land for school in Almora. Earlier, The Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat also visited the Army Museum at Ranikhet. He said that the way the museum has been maintained is a source of inspiration and knowledge for all and hoped that youth will be further inspired.
Kumoan Commissioner Rajeev Rautal said that there is plan to expand the campaign by planting three lakh saplings for which the villagers are being made aware. He assured that efforts will be made to run Kosi rejuvenation campaign on the feeling of self-love. A micro work plan for the campaign has been prepared.
BJP state president Ajay Bhatt, District President Govind Pilkhwal, Mussoorie legislator Ganesh Joshi, SSP P. Renuka Devi, Additional District Magistrate K.S. Tolia, Joint Magistrate Ranikhet Himanshu Khurana, Additional District Magistrate Dwarahat Raza Abbas, Joginder Singh and others involved in the campaign were present. The programme was compered by District Development Officer Mohammad Aslam.
