Save Narmada campaign, Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s masterstroke

Namami Devi Narmade — this powerful spiritual slogan made the Narmada river preservation programme of the Madhya Pradesh government truly a people's participation programme. The government did not restrict itself to framing stringent regulations and making provisions for punishment, but intelligently used the sanctity involved with the Narmada river, which has religious and spiritual importance.

With Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan creating social awareness for conservation of the river through people's participation, it is one of the biggest endeavours to save the river. Chouhan motivated people to participate in making the strategy and work plan for protection of the Narmada river and regularly monitored and evaluated the process. Religious groups, social financial groups, businessmen and members of local bodies also participated actively in the programme.

The political will of the Madhya Pradesh government was proved when Narmada was declared a living entity like the Ganga and Yamuna. While the Supreme Court ordered that the Ganga and Yamuna be declared as living entities, Chouhan went a step further when his government introduced a Bill in the Vidhan Sabha to make the Narbada a living entity as well. Prior to this, the Narmada Sewa Yatra became the world's biggest public movement for river conservation and raising public awareness about the cleanliness of the river.

While the Ganga Action Plan, launched with much fervour by the Union government, has not been able to achieve the desired results because of a lack of people's participation, Chouhan showed his vision by proving that the Narmada is not just a river, but is a manifestation of religious fervour and faith of the people living on the banks. It needs tremendous effort on the part of a government to make people enlightened to protect this river and keep it free from pollution and maintain its level and constant flow.

He skillfully addressed the issue by telling people that it was theirs and the society's duty to conserve the ancient, spiritual and social importance of the river.