Long-term policy to save rivers need of the hour: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

MUMBAI: India needs a long-gestation policy on rivers' revitalisation to ensure a comprehensive approach towards solving the issue of river depletion, said Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha Foundation that began 'Rally for Rivers' ­ a nationwide campaign to revitalise the country's fast-depleting water bodies.

“We are living like we are the last eneration on the planet. We have generation on the planet. We have taken the largest bite off the planet...We need a long-term, comprehensive policy with a gestation period of 20-25 years. In October, we will submit the draft recommendations to the government of India, which will be made available to each state, media and public for their contributions,“ he said.

He was speaking at an event organised in association with the department of forest of the Maharashtra government. Isha Foundation has signed a pact with the Maharashtra government to facilitate plantation of 50 crore trees across the state, most of which will be on the banks of Godavari river.

Sadhguru also sought people's support to Rally for Rivers through a missed call on 8000980009, which will be counted as a vote of support for a long-term river rejuvenation policy, which he said is essential in a democracy.

Rally for Rivers is seeking pledges from a large section of the population that accounts for the majority of the electorate which will help formulate a long-term policy pronouncement and execution.