Vinit Wahi / New Delhi/

Narmada Seva Yatra is one of the biggest Yatra undertaken by any Chief Minister for preservation and conservation of river, said Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra, here while addressing a Press Conference.

He informed that the Yatra launched by the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is getting a huge response from all walks of life and getting huge public support from all quarters.

As per Central Pollution Control Board Report River Narmada is the least polluted river in the country and comes under ‘A’ category. This is due to the strict norms followed for Environment preservation and framing Industrial policies initiated by the State Government.

It may be mentioned here that the Yatra which was launched by the Chief Minister from Amarkantak on December 11 last, will cover about 3400 Kms. in 144 days and will culminate at Amarkantak on this May 11.The Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be there on the occasion.

The purpose of Yatra, Dr. Mishra said, is to make people more aware of the need for preservation and conservation, encourage people to plant more trees, more use of organic fertilisers, check illegal mining activities and also point out the means which make rive more polluted and discourage the people from indulging those activities.

Dr. Mishra informed that Narmada passes through 16 districts of the state and covers almost 1100 kms. Also 30 per cent people are dependent on this river for drinking water. It also produces 2400 MW of electricity for the state.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and secretary, PR, S.K. Mishra, Commissioner Public Relations, Anupam Rajan and Resident Commissioner, Aashish Shrivastav were among those present on the occasion.