Environment crisis is deepening day by day and we must protect our environment. The same spirit of conservation of environment was displayed by the girl students of local Nutan College where a programme was organised on the occasion of Science Day. The main speciality of the programme was its uniqueness regarding celebrations. There was no noise, loud music but calmness in the atmosphere. This did not disturb anybody's studies too. The students propagated the message of protection of environment and also emphasized on saving the planet Earth from destruction. What do students say Bhanupriya says 'Our very existence depends on our planet Earth. It becomes our responsibility to save environment'. Pushpalata says 'The thing, which is required most is the awareness about how to save environment. With the ongoing pace of exploiting natural resources, that day is not far when we would reach the stage of exhaustion and severe crises.

While addressing the concluding function of the three-day International River Festival at Bandrabhan in Hoshangabad district today, the Governor stressed the need for conservation of nature and environment for human existence. Underlining the importance of rivers as lifeline of humanity he stressed the need for maximum plantation for their preservation. Expressing regret and displeasure over pollution of great rivers like Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada, the Governor said that development of urban areas should not be at the cost of nature and rivers. Lauding the River Festival the Governor described it as a significant step towards conservation of environment and welfare of humanity. He expressed concern over animosity and terrorism growing in the name of religion and said that the people of India should shun it. They should tread the righteous path shown by sacred books and saints and co-exist peacefully. The Minister for Public Relations Laxmikant Sharma said that the River Festival organised by Narmada Samagra is important for entire country. He stressed the need for proper documentation and compilation of the papers presented by experts during the three-day festival. He said that the Public Relations Department would publish their compilation as a document for future use. The conclusions of the deliberations held by experts during the River Festival were issued in the form of Bandrabhan Declaration. A draft action plan prepared by Narmada Samagra for year 2008-09 was also released on the occasion. The convener of International River Festival and secretary of Narmada Samagra Samiti Anil Dave explained its content. The Bandrabhan Declaration states that every river has her own ground, her own flow-path and her own ethos, which are independent of administrative units. The basis of studies, works and efforts about rivers should, therefore, be river basin. The path of flow of rivers is created by their relentless efforts from time immememorial. An international river bank should be set up to maintain an account of the inflow and outflow of all the rivers. There should be a balance sheet to maintain a vigil on the mobilization and expenditure of the resources for rivers. Also sub-accounts should be maintained for direct and indirect income and expenditure on rivers. It should have complete information of the past and present of rivers and also future ideal shape. There should be a comprehensive thinking on utilization of river waters. Relationship between rivers and people is an important factor. When this love between rivers and people dries up due to oblivion of culture and civilization then a river is reduced to merely a water body. There is need to further cement the bonds of love between the two. Anil Dave informed that an annual action plan for year 2008-09 has been prepared by Narmada Samagra on the basis of Bandrabhan Declaration. It seeks to ensure dense plantation within 200 meter radius of both the banks of Narmada river. Three awards would be given for outstanding works on the rivers in Narmada basin on minor, medium and major levels. The highest award would be given to those working on minor river systems. Under Narmada Samagra Yojana coins of alloy would be provided to the ghats of Narmada river for casting in the river. These coins would comprise 96 percent copper and four percent silver. This would help keep Narmada pollution free. Besides, detergent less soap would be made available to reduce the river pollution level. The next River Festival would be organized in 2010 at the same venue. The president of Narmada Samagra Amritlal Begad delivered the welcome address. The chairman of Pollution Control Board Dr. S.P. Gautam proposed a vote of thanks. Member of Parliament Sartaj Singh; MLA Madhukar Rao Harde; chairman of District Cooperative Bank Yogendra Singh Mandloi; Shiv Choube, former MLA Seetasharan Sharma; officers, public representatives and participants from within and outside the country were present on the occasion.

Works would be undertaken under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the National Parks. This information was given by Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah at a meeting of officers of National Parks, Forest Department and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme . This meeting of officers of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Forest Department was held for exploring the possibilities of starting works under this Scheme at forest villages. Those present on the occasion included Secretary Rural Development Ashok Shah, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife PB Gangopadhyay, Chief Conservator of Forests Suhas Kumar, Conservator of Forests Wildlife and Vinay Burman of Narmada Valley Development Authority. Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah said that it is necessary to include residents of forest villages in the mainstream of development. For this purpose, works are getting done on a large scale. Ashram Shalas for children of forest villages' dwellers are being opened from July in the next session. He told the forest officers that whatever works are necessary for development must be done. For this, development schemes for villages falling under National Parks, Sanctuaries and forest ranges should be chalked out. Whatever works can be done under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme should be done and for the remaining works resources should be mobilised for the Forest Department. He told the officers to get the saplings of fruit-bearing trees planted at the Badas of beneficiaries belonging to scheduled tribes. He instructed the Forest Department officers to seek the guidance and cooperation of Technical Department officers in construction works. Secretary Rural Development Department Ashok Shah gave information to the officers about National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme . He said that many beneficiary-oriented works like Kapil Dhara, Nandan Phalodyan, Bhumi Shilp, Nirmal Vatika and silk sub-plan can be implemented under the Scheme . Similarly, works of community development including Shail-Parna, Nimal Neer and Vanya sub-plan can be launched. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests PB Gangopadhyay told the officers that vast possibilities of labour-based works exist in the area under National Parks and sanctuaries. With a view to tapping these possibilities works under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme-MP can be launched. On the basis of information under the Act, forest officers should prepare schemes and present the same to the concerning District Panchayat. The workshop was also addressed by officers of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme , Joint Commissioner AK Singh and chief engineer AK Choudhary.

In order to find out solution for the crises on rivers, a three-day International River Festival will be organised from February 23 at Bandrabhan in Hoshangabad District. According to a press statement issued here on Thursday, more than 500 specialists would participate in the festival, which is being organised by 'Narmada Samagra'. The trustee of Narmada Samagra and environmentalist Anil Madhav Dave informed that in reality, a river is a complete life in itself. Issues like water, forests, land, agriculture, economic development, consumerism, electricity, aquatic life, culture, purity of environment, bio-diversity are all related to river. The pollution of rivers is increasing rapidly and the sensitivity among people towards rivers has vanished. With the objective to discuss on issues related to river and to prepare future strategy regarding conservation of rivers, this river festival is being organised. Thirteen issues have been prepared for discussion in this gathering which are water, forests, land, culture, life, banks, soil, bio-diversity, pollution, economics of rivers, agriculture and role of voluntary institutions. It is worth mentioning here that for this festival, a complete town named 'Narmada Puram' has been developed on the banks of river Narmada at Bandrabhan of Hoshangabad district.

Plastic garbage is playing havoc with mother earth. From villages to cities plastics are being used in such a way that the whole country seems to be a heap of plastic garbage. A Nagpur based company has taken initiative to use plastic garbage in producing petro products. Dr Jhadgaonkar related to this company, gave information to municipal corporation and MP Pollution Control Board officials about the scheme of converting plastic garbage into petro products. Earlier, this scheme went to bite dust due to the negligence of officials. Now, the work of implementing this scheme has started.

Madhya Pradesh government has made a long series of important decisions during the last four years to bring about better change in the lives of farmers. These decisions have inspired the farmers to return to their traditional business. Now green crops are waiving in the fields of Madhya Pradesh everywhere and lot of farmers has improved to a great extent.

Madhya Pradesh government has sought assistance of Rs 1548.91 crore from the Central government for drought relief works. A memorandum in this regard was presented to a central team, which has arrived here to assess the drought situation in the state at meeting with senior officers of the state government here today.

Apart from Madhya Pradesh, investors from nine other states have shown keen interest in making investments in the state at the Jabalpur Investors Meet held recently. Thirty-six investors from nine other states have signed 41 Memoranda of Understanding to the tune of Rs 46337 crore. In all, 61 MoUs worth Rs 56829 crore were inked at Jabalpur Investors Meet. With proposals worth Rs 18150 crore, Delhi tops the list as far as amount is concerned while the industrial houses of West Bengal's capital Kolkata have topped in the number by signing 13 MoUs.

The problem this year is more acute and many are migrating to towns owing to financial problems occasioned by the drought- Anil Gulati Chhatarpur is one of the 37 districts of Madhya Pradesh, which are reeling under a water crisis and facing drought. This is winter and the worst is yet to come - the summer is yet to set in.

There is a total slump in farming activity due to multifarious other factors viz. deficiency of farm labour, vagaries of weather, cost effect etc- RK Kutty