Anna Hazare Opens Noyyal Restoration Plan 01 Anna Hazare bats for total prohibition, rain water harvesting COIMBATORE: Total prohibition can be implemented if the government and people take it up strongly, according to Anna Hazare. He was speaking at the launch of the Noyallai Nokki, a project aimed at reviving river Noyyal. "In my village at Ralegaon Siddhi there were 40 liquor distillation plants and we removed them all and for the past 20 years, no one in my village drinks alcohol, or consumes tobacco. If the people's will is strong and the government gives support, it is possible to implement total prohibition," said Anna. He further said that his village has set an example as it has developed immensely after villagers began harvesting rainwater and improving the water tables. "I hope after two years river Noyyal also begins to flow again and I get a chance to visit it. I want all the youngsters and the villagers to take part in the project as it can be successful only if every family in the district contributes," he said. He expressed hopes, once the river water flows in the river, liquor will stop flowing in the villages. Noyyal restoration begins Social activist Anna Hazare and actor Suriya at the launch of Noyyalai Nokki , an initiative to restore the Noyyal, in Coimbatore on Saturday.— Photo: S. Siva Saravanan It was a festive occasion at Kooduthurai (Alandurai) near the foothills of the Western Ghats, here on Saturday evening. Hundreds gathered for the launch of Noyyalai Nokki , a people’s initiative to restore the 160-km long river. The river originates in the Western Ghats and passes through Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, and Karur districts to join the Cauvery at Noyyal village. “I want to come after two years to see the Noyyal restored,” said social activist Anna Hazare at the launch function. It is important to focus on conservation of land and water resources for development, he said. Earlier, he told reporters that linking of rivers was good if it was done scientifically. It was important to plan water management, conserve natural resources, take up rainwater harvesting and restore rivers. Actor Suriya, who participated at the inaugural of Noyyalai Nokki , said the confidence of the people gathered in restoring the river gave hope for restoration of more rivers across the State. It was necessary to take up such projects and conserve water bodies for the benefit of the future generations. According to Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee of Siruthuli, it was a joint project by the public to restore the river. Total prohibition is possible if govt wants: Anna Hazare COIMBATORE: Total prohibition can be implemented by any government if they have the will to do it, said Anna Hazare in the city on Saturday. He said apart from the government, people should have strong ideals and ensure they do not give up the fight. "In our village, Ralegaon Siddhi in Maharashtra, there were four liquor distilleries which had to shut down after the public protested and continued to fight against it. It is possible to shut them in any part of the country," said Anna. Stating that Indian rivers were prone to exploitation especially by sand mafias, he said he is planning to write to the government to ensure steps are taken to stop this. "Sand in rivers and lakes are very important part for the environment as they help in holding the water and recharging ground water table. I will write to the government that a law should be passed such that without the permission of the village authorities sand should not be allowed to be taken," he said. Another problem about the rivers, he cited, was the encroachments on the banks by people, companies and others. "As the government has all the records relating to the land usage, encroachments should be removes as per rules and only then will the rivers in the country be restored," he said. Talking about the river-linking project, he said if done scientifically, it would yield good results. "Some rivers originating from the Himlayas have a higher velocity in comparison to others. If the speed of water flow can be regulated, it would be a successful project," he said. Talking about the Noyyalai Nokki, project aimed at reviving the river Noyyal's 62km long bed, he said, "I hope after two years river Noyyal also begins to flow again and I get a chance to visit it. I want all the youngsters and the villagers to take part in the project as it can be successful only if every family in the district contributes," he said adding he hopes, "once water flows here the other water (liquor) doesn't enter homes here." This Video Covered From Coimbatore District Reporter (Tamil Nadu) From South Indian Crime Point Weekly. For More Details Pl Visit : http://www.southindiancrimepoint.com/ or https://twitter.com/crimepoint or http://sicpwebtv.blogspot.in/

• published: 27 Mar 2016
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