Sir,
This has a reference to DE news item “Govt proposes Rs 60 Cr rejuvenation plan for dying Devika in Udhampur,” DE Aug 12. It is a welcome step that Govt of India has proposed this project on the initiative taken by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, who is also MP of this area. Mr Singh knows the ground reality of miserable condition of Holy Devika and he is known to give practical shape to his words. The Udhampur Development Council has taken great interest throughout the years to protect and preserve religious and historical heritage of Devika.
I would like to request Distt Development Commissioner Udhampur to constitute a team of experts to prepare a detailed project report, but the work under NRCP should cover all the areas through which Holy Devika flows. We have to undertake the cleanlines of entire river and not a part of it. So the work should start from Sudhmahadev where Holy Devika appears from Dhar-Shivgarh hills from a sacred point called ”NADA”. Right from the start of the river. It has been encroached upon by greedy human beings and village and city wastage is being thrown directly into the river from Sudhmahadev onwards upto Benisarg where this Holy river meets river Tawi. Rejuvenation is much needed in Sudhmahadev area where human activity has made the holy water polluted and flow width restricted to a Nallah only. In Sudhmahadev area many other sacred rivulets join Devika at different places like Mahasur Nadi at Budhi-Sudhi, Charanvanti from Umakund and Sahastra-Dhara and Dhoul-Ganga meet makes Devika more religiously important. It is requested that all these rivulets should aso be brought under Devika Rejuvenation Plan. In addition to Udhampur Purmandal and Utterbehni should also be covered.
In Udhampur, the conditions are worst to be seen. This sacred river called elder sister of Holy Ganga has been made like a most polluted drain. Inspite of all this, the purity and characteristic of Holy water has not changed. It is pertinent to mention that Holy Devika had taken ”Avtar” in the land of Lord Shiva to wash sins from our souls. Holy Devika is doing her job, but we the public have forgotten our duties and responsibilities towards this sacred river. Let us hope for the best to save this great connecting link of our great traditions and civilisations and our religious faith also.
Yours etc…
Rajinder Chand Anthal
Chenani
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