Yatra for revival of Luni river in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Feb 2 (UNI) Jal Biradari, an NGO, engaged in cleansing and revival of rivers and conservation of water sources, and Rajasthan based Jal Bhagirathi Foundation will jointly organise a Luni Yatra from February 11-15, for making Rajasthan's Luni river free from pollution.

Jal Biradari Spokesman and Magsaysay Awardee Rajendra Singh told reporters here today that the yatra would begin from Balotra on February 11 and would conclude in Pali on February 15, where a public meeting would be held to highlight the issue among masses.

Former Maharaja of Jodhpur, Jal Bhagirathi Foundation's Chief Patron Gaj Singh, former Maharani of Jodhpur Ms Hemlata and noted environmentalist Sunita Narayan were likely to address the meeting.

Mr Singh, popularly known as Waterman of India, said the Luni has become the most polluted river due to discharge of textile industry effluents. Several court cases had also been filed by various agencies or groups during past 19 years to seek court's intervention in the matter.

He said their main demand would be implementation of verdicts delivered by various courts in these cases during this period.

Mr Singh said the above yatra would be a part of the Jal Biradari's year-long campaign-- Jal Sanrakshan Satyagraha, 2008-- being launched countrywide from January one to press on the demand of rivival or cleansing of at least one river in each state of the country.

He said that under the year-long campaign River Yatras, meets, dharnas, Satyagraha were to be held throughout the year.

UNI SS DS RN1816