GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday participated in the
‘Brahmaputra Aamantran Abhiyan’, a river rafting expedition and a public outreach
programme organized by the Brahmaputra Board at Majuli.
The Union Jalshkati Ministry under the supervision of the Brahmaputra Board has launched this expedition on 23rd
December from Gelling in Arunachal Pradesh with a view to unearth the untapped
potential of the Brahmaputra River as well as to study the causes of river erosion besides
attracting the young generation to realise the opportunities available on both the banks of
the river. This expedition is jointly led by the Brahmaputra Board and the NDRF.
Speaking on the occasion in a programme held at Majuli College playground at
Dariapar in Majuli, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the ‘Brahmaputra Aamantran
Abhiyan’ expedition would be helpful in realising the vast potential of the river
Brahmaputra. The Chief Minister at the same time stressed on chalking out appropriate
plan and programmes to utilise the rich potential of the river.
Underlining the intrinsic relationship of the river Brahmaputra with the culture,
tradition and lifestyle of the people of the state, the Chief Minister observed that optimum
utilization of the potential of the river would significantly contribute in boosting economy
of the State. He also spoke about devising plans for making adequate use of the
potentialities of the tributaries of Brahmaputra and Barak rivers and viewed that the
expedition would prove to be a boon for sustainable development of the people living on
both banks of the rivers. Chief Minister Sonowal further laid stress on realising the
tourism, water sports and navigation potentials of the Brahmaputra River.
Suhashini Shekhawat who is leading the rafting team on behalf of the NDRF while
speaking on the occasion said that the expedition reached Majuli after successfully
covering a distance of around 450 kms from its starting point at Gelling in Arunachal
Pradesh.
She highlighted the thrilling experiences the team encountered at various places
during the expedition so far. Shekhawat said that the pollution level of the river
Brahmaputra was much lower than Ganga and other rivers of the country and stressed on
joint initiatives of the government and the public for maintaining the pollution free
environment of the river. She also urged the youth to work for preservation of the rich
potential and pollution free environment of the Brahmaputra.
MP Pradan Baruah, Inspector General of NDRF Amarendra Kumar Sengar, MD of
BCPL Ridip Hazarika and Chairman of Brahmaputra Board Rajiv Yadav also spoke on the occasion. Majuli DC Bikram Koiri, SP and several other dignitaries were also present in the programme.
