Uttarkashi: In a significant effort to raise awareness about the importance of a plastic-free Ganga, a team of 10 retired military officers set out on a bicycle expedition from Uttarkashi to Prayagraj on Monday.
The expedition, under the Atulya Ganga Abhiyan, aims to spread the message of making the Ganga plastic-free by the time of Maha Kumbh.
Principal NIM flagged off the team
The team was flagged off on Monday by Colonel Anshuman Bhadauria, Principal of the Nehru Mountaineering Institute (NIM), from Ujeli, the district headquarters. This devotional journey will cover a distance of 1,150 km over 11 days, passing through Devprayag, Rishikesh, Narora, Kanpur, and finally reaching Prayagraj. The campaign will run until January 31. Colonel Bhadauria, Principal of NIM, told News9live, “This group started working in 2019 to spread awareness about the cleanliness of the Ganga. The members have vowed to dedicate 11 years of their lives to this purpose. They even traveled on foot from Gangotri to Gangasagar in 2020-21. This year, they have gathered from different parts of the country to raise awareness about plastic pollution.”
The team members will educate people and children about the importance of cleanliness
During their cycle journey, the team members will travel through various cities along the banks of the Ganga, educating people and children about the importance of cleanliness and plantation. They will emphasize the significance of keeping the Ganga clean, especially during the Maha Kumbh, and encourage the local communities to participate actively in this mission. As the team pedals its way through the challenging terrains and bustling cities, their message of a plastic-free Ganga is expected to resonate deeply with the communities they encounter.
Expedition will pass through notable locations along the Ganga
The expedition will pass through notable locations such as Tehri Dam, Koteshwar, Devprayag, Haridwar, and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand, and Narora, Kakora, Farrukhabad, Bilhaur, Kanpur, Fatehpur, and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. The team includes retired Lieutenant Colonel Hem Luhmi, Rajiv Rawat, Gopal Sharma, Kaushak Sharma, Anand Sharma, Rajendra Dhami, Anand Swaroop, and Manoj Keshav.
Dedication of the retired army officers towards Atulya Ganga campaign
A team member of ‘Atulya Ganga’ project, retired Colonel Hem Luhmi, highlighted the dedication of the retired army officers toward the 11-year-long Atulya Ganga Project, which has been actively working to make the Ganga plastic-free for the past four years. He told to News9live, “It was the first time we divided the Ganga into five zones and created a ‘Water Quality Index’ similar to AQI during the 5,530 km long ‘Ganga Parikrama’ and identified 41 places with bad or very bad water quality. This was published in two international journals. Besides, the ‘Uttarkashi to Maha Kumbh’ campaign, taking place from January 20 to 31, is a significant step in this endeavor.”
Garnered support and attention from various sections of society
The cyclists will raise awareness about reviving the Ganga through community activities and tree plantation drives along their route. Founded by ex-servicemen in 2019, ‘Incredible Ganga’ aims to educate people about the importance of reviving the Ganga. The Indian Army proudly supports its brave ex-servicemen who are selflessly contributing to nation-building.
The initiative has garnered support and attention from various quarters, underscoring the need for collective efforts to address environmental concerns. The retired officers’ dedication to this cause serves as an inspiration to others, urging them to contribute to the cleanliness and preservation of the sacred Ganga River.
