Environment
Aviral Godavari
"Rivers are the lifeline of a civilization and a country’s greatest resource."
Reviving River Godavari to its perennial glory
Under the guidance of Sri M and Jal Purush Dr. Rajendra Singh, the Aviral Godavari Mission is a collaborative effort by The Satsang Foundation, Namami Goda Foundation, Rashtriya Jal Biradari and several partner organizations, environmentally-conscious individuals, corporates, government departments and educational institutions to rejuvenate River Godavari and help it flow uninterrupted (Aviral).
Achievements (as of November 2024)
Waterbodies
Kunds rejuvenated on Brahmagiri – 8 (+1 well); Hatti Talav leakage repaired; Ganga Sagar kund cleaned, desilted and repaired; estimated 3.5 lakh litres saved from runoff/leakage at an average 880 m above mean sea level.
Reforestation
Over 25,000 seedballs prepared and being dispersed; grass seeds dispersed in degraded areas; tree planation commenced on Brahmagiri (plan for 1,00,000+ trees to be planted); Mytree Academy workshops at Schools – around 1,500 saplings nurtured and planted.
Watershed
Bandharas built – 25; more sites identified.
Plastic waste prevention
Waste collection drives; 50 bins handed over to the Forest Dept.
Indira Kund - Before
Indira Kund - After
Deforestation, landscape erosion, dramatic rainfall changes and repeated occurrences of drought have created a water crisis in many regions, including around Godavari, one of India’s largest and most-revered rivers. As a result, Godavari, which once flowed perennially, is now limited to certain seasons.
‘Aviral Godavari’ is a project to ensure the greenery of Brahma Giri (which is the origin of the Godavari river) and the downstream path of the river. ‘Aviral’ means uninterrupted or continuous – the project aims to ensure an uninterrupted flow of water for all living beings dependent on the Godavari. The programme is being developed with mutual support between the government-teams and civil society-teams under the ‘Amrit Mahotsav Nadi Yatras’.
This massive multi-year project, across 5 states will involve local, state and the central government, civic society organisations and the public at large, to restore and rejuvenate the Godavari to its original yearlong glory.
Project Objectives
- • Watershed management and Rejuvenation of over 90 waterbodies: The Watershed and Soil conservation will be implemented under the eminent guidance of Rajendra Singh ji (Waterman of India), Justice Ambadas Joshi (Lokayukt, Goa) and other subject matter experts of the field, with active involvement of local residents through the MNREGA scheme. This will help in reduction of flash floods and drought situations.
- • Afforestation with the plantation of around 100,000 saplings: Creating a dense forest on Brahmagiri mountain, and subsequently along the downstream path of the river, including plantation of indigenous trees, involving students from adjoining schools and Kusmade Pattern by Vijayashree Sanstha. The Satsang Foundation along with Namami Goda Foundation will provide indigenous tree saplings to villagers and the entire plantation maintenance will be covered under MGNREGA programmes by the local population. Through the Mytree concept, students will also participate in providing tree saplings for the ongoing plantation drive.
- • Awareness drives across all connected communities: Building public awareness through the ‘Know our Rivers’ campaign, and growing sensitivity among people to prevent water wastage, manage natural water bodies better, and prevent the pollution of rivers and water bodies through excessive and unwarranted human and industrial waste.
Reduction of soil erosion
- Water conservation
- Reduction of flash floods
- Drought mitigation
The scarcity of continuous clean and pure water threatens the survival of all living beings. The Satsang Foundation urges everyone to join the cause and participate as volunteers to make this movement successful.
Vaanar - Before
Vaanar - After
Impact Areas
Watershed Management
Implementation of land-use and water-management practices to rejuvenate underground springs using trenches and ‘Loose Boulder Dams’ to slow down water flow and allow better recharge of water underground.
Rainwater Harvesting
Storage of rainwater for ground water recharge is being encouraged through schools, public institutions, private companies and local communities through initiatives like “My WaterBank” to alleviate the water stress caused by growing human activity.
Kund Rejuvenation
Revival of over 20 of the 100+ kunds and ponds on Brahmagiri using indigenous techniques, allowing the kunds and ponds to hold water which will be available to local residents, wildlife, and plant life on the mountain, and help recharge underground streams.
Tree Plantation
Extensive tree plantation will help to restore the ecology of the area, through topsoil protection, improved biodiversity, and underground sequestration of water.
MyTree Academy Workshops
Workshops in schools in Nashik and its vicinity to help create sapling nurseries with the active involvement of students, sowing the seeds of Maitri (“friendship” with the environment) in young minds. Saplings are nurtured by students until ready for transplanting.
Pollution Prevention
Through the MyBhoomi programme, the target is to make the next Nashik Kumbh Mela in 2027 a “Plastic Waste Free” Kumbh and Nashik a plastic-waste free city.
Women’s Empowerment & Livelihood
Sustenance of these programmes is envisaged by developing strong community ownership and engaging with the local communities through a mix of tradition and the immediate by creating commitment through livelihoods that promote the preservation of nature and the water infrastructure.
Aviral Godavari Updates
No updates available at the moment.