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MoU signed for rejuvenation of rivers in State

By STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Dec 18 - A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was today signed between the Environment and Forest Department, Government of Assam and Isha Foundation for rejuvenation and conservation of rivers in the State.

Speaking at the MoU signing programme, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Assamese civilisation has flourished by the rivers Brahmaputra and Barak, and saving these rivers is one of the prime objectives of the State government.

Assam thus became the sixth state to sign the MoU with Isha Foundation that has undertaken the historic nationwide �Rally for Rivers� campaign � a massive initiative for revitalisation of India�s fast-depleting rivers.

�Brahmaputra and Barak are our lifelines and they have been sustaining our economy and colouring our culture with varied hues. We have undertaken initiatives to turn these rivers into valuable resources by managing their waters effectively,� Sonowal said.

The Chief Minister also thanked Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of Isha Foundation, for extending support to the Assam government in rejuvenating and conserving rivers in the State. He expressed the hope that the government�s collaboration with Isha Foundation would help in mitigating perennial floods in the State.

Stating the government�s initiatives to plant 10 crore saplings in the State, conserve the reserve forests and make Majuli the first carbon-neutral district in the country, Sonowal said that dredging of the Brahmaputra and Barak has been undertaken by the government to rejuvenate the rivers through de-silting for increasing their water carrying capacity.

Sonowal said the State government is also working to forge trade links with Bangladesh via the Brahmaputra, besides exploring possibilities for planting bamboo trees along the expressway to be built on both sides of the Brahmaputra river.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said it is the solemn responsibility of every citizen of this country to protect the rivers and conserve the environment so that the Earth with its pristine nature can be left behind for the future generations. Sharing his association with nature from an early age, the Padma Vibhushan awardee spiritual guru said Isha Foundation has been working towards involving the community in conservation of rivers. �Nearly 162 million people have joined the �Rally for Rivers� campaign that has become a mass movement now,� he said.

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