“This is
not a protest. This is not an agitation. This is a campaign to raise awareness
that our rivers are depleting. Everyone who consumes water must Rally for
Rivers.”
-
Sadhguru
An
initiative by Shri Sadhguru and Isha Foundation is trying to save our rivers.
Indian Rivers are drying in this age of modernization and Global warming.
Most of time, we see in our country that we are more interested in Problems, rather than in Solutions.So,this is not one more agitation or protest against or for something, but an attempt to rise awareness regarding our depleting Rivers with a comprehensive plan for their restoration.
Today most of our perennial rivers are becoming seasonal. The Ganga has been declared as one of the world’s most endangered river.The Narmada, Krishna and Kaveri do not even reach the sea for four months of the year. Water levels in almost every major rivers have declined severely.
India’s
rivers are undergoing a drastic change. Due to the pressures of population and
development, our perennial rivers are becoming seasonal. Many of the smaller
rivers have already vanished. Flood as well as drought are becoming
increasingly frequent, as rivers turn unruly during the monsoon, and vanish
once the rainy season is over.
Eye
Opening Facts:
·
India
will have only half of water we need to survive in next 15 years.
·
25%
of India is turning into Desert.
·
The Holy Ganga is considered one of the most
Endangered Rivers in the world.
·
Narmada
of Gujarat along with Krishna of Telangana State have lost around 60% of Water
Flow.
In every state, perennial rivers are either becoming seasonal or totally going dry. In Kerala – the Bharatpuzha, in Karnataka – the Kabini, in Tamil Nadu – the Kaveri, Palar and Vaigai, in Odisha – the Musal, in Madhya Pradesh – the Kshipra. Many smaller rivers have already vanished. Most major rivers are the subject of interstate water disputes.
How This Affects Us:
Estimates say 65% of our water needs
met are by rivers.
Two out of
3 major Indian cities already deal with daily water shortage. Many urban
residents pay ten times the normal amount for a can of water.
We consume
water not just to drink or for domestic purposes. 80 percent of water is used
to grow our food. Each person’s average water requirement is 1.1 million liters
a year.
Flood, drought,
and rivers turning seasonal are increasingly leading to crop failure across the
country.
Climate
change expected is to cause worse floods and droughts within the next 25-50
years. During the monsoon, rivers will flood. The rest of the year, drought
will follow. These trends are already beginning.
How can we contribute?
To submit a policy recommendation for central government, peoples support is very vital. For a large environmental movement throughout the country like this, minimum of 10 crore votes are needed. You can pledge your support by giving a missed call to the below number.
You can give a MISS CALL TO: 80009 80009
OR
Download Rally For River APP:
Saving
Our Rivers
The Solution involves creating and maintaining tree cover for a minimum of one kilometer on either side of the entire river length and half a kilometer for tributaries has vast environmental, social, and economic benefits for nation and society. Native forest trees would be planted in government-owned land along riverbanks. Organic fruit tree cultivation would be taken up on private farmers’ lands.
·
Healthy
river systems safeguard our water and food for the present and future
generations.
·
Secure
water resources are essential for individual wellbeing and India’s industry and
commerce.
·
Farmers’
incomes increase at least three to four-fold by changing from crop to organic
fruit tree cultivation.
·
Farmers,
who are the largest section of India’s workforce, are also among the lowest
earning groups. Increasing their income will create a huge positive impact.
·
This
will also diversify and boost India’s rural economy significantly.
Such
large-scale, long-term action can only be sustained through government policy.
To create awareness and initiate action on this national issue, Sadhguru has
conceived “Rally for Rivers,” where he will be personally driving from
Kanyakumari to the Himalayas.
How
Trees Can Save Our Rivers
India’s
rivers are mainly rain-fed. So how do they flow throughout the year, even in
the dry season?
Because of forests.
Trees are important in ensuring that
perennial rivers flow even when the rains end.Tree roots
make the soil porous so that it can absorb rain and hold water when rain falls.
This water in the soil is then released into the river gradually throughout the
year.
If there
are no trees, a destructive cycle of floods and droughts occur.
During the
monsoon, excess water will flow over the surface and cause floods because the
soil does not absorb the rainwater.
When the monsoon ends, rivers go dry
because there is no moisture in the soil to feed them. This is why it is
important to maintain substantial tree cover along riversides.
Trees
along riversides has several benefits according to scientific studies:
 |
| Source: wri.org |
·
Keep
rivers perennial
·
Reduce
floods
·
Combat
drought
·
Recharge
groundwater
·
Normalize
rainfall
·
Combat
climate change
·
Prevent
soil erosion
·
Improve
water quality
·
Enhance
soil quality
·
Protect
biodiversity
Every Missed Call Counts! July 9, 2017 marks the birth of a nationwide campaign focused on a critical cause – saving India’s dying rivers. Millions of people are already showing their support, and you can too! All it takes is a missed call to 80009 80009. Just ONE missed call from YOU will be part of a huge wave towards implementing government action to revive our rivers. Learn more at http://isha.sadhguru.org/rally-for-rivers
I beseech all of you to participate in this, in whatever way you can.When I say all of you, I mean everyone who consumes water, to have our river flowing,to live this land rich and well, is the best gift we can offer to the future generation of this nation. - Sadhguru
#RallyForRivers
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