Mumbai, Maharashtra – The Art of Living Social Projects has announced a strategic partnership with the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Government of Maharashtra, to implement transformative measures aimed at achieving water positivity for the state. The Art of Living Social Projects is dedicated to creating positive societal impact through transformative initiatives. Focusing on holistic development, the organization strives to contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities alike.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in Mumbai on November 26th in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Eknath Shinde (Chief Minister of Maharashtra), Devendra Fadnavis (Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra), and Prasana Prabhu (Chairman, Vyakti Vikas Kendra India).
The Art of Living has been at the forefront of efforts to make India water positive, and has already made significant progress in rejuvenating over 70 rivers, tributaries, and streams across eight states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. With over 90,000 groundwater recharge structures built, their mission has been to combat the ever-increasing water scarcity prevalent in the country.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Although this is a small assembly of people, the results will be outstanding. Jal hi jeevan hai, jal hai to kal hai. Rainfall has steadily decreased over the years, and considering the effects of climate change, this is a good time for the Government of Maharashtra to collaborate with The Art of Living on water conservation.”
The partnership aims to pioneer groundbreaking practices through the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan 2.0 initiative, which intends to revolutionize Maharashtra into a water positive state. This will include comprehensive measures such as desilting streams and constructing various water conservation structures to increase groundwater levels. The initiative will cover 85 tehsils in 30 districts, providing a comprehensive solution to the imminent water crisis while fostering agricultural prosperity.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised The Art of Living for its significant contribution to the success of the first Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan, which conserved water in 22,000 villages. He cited a Central Government report from 2020 stating that the water table in Maharashtra had risen, while surrounding areas had witnessed a decline. Fadnavis expressed his appreciation for the commitment of all The Art of Living volunteers and welcomed the opportunity to work with the organization once again.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and the people, emphasizing that progress is accelerated when there is public support, governmental determination, and divine grace working together. He recalled the strong encouragement received from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis when The Art of Living’s water conservation efforts were initiated in Maharashtra.
The Art of Living Social Projects, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, invites individuals, communities, and stakeholders to join hands in this incredible journey. Their aim is to amplify the momentum and make Maharashtra more resilient and prosperous, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.