Meri Dilli, Meri Yamuna Citizens’ Action Plan Meri Dilli, Meri Yamuna Citizens’ Action Plan An Initiative of The Art of Living

The River Yamuna: Then Page | 2

….and Now Page | 3 When Did YOU Last Go Near Yamuna? It is BLACK!

The Yamuna Page | 4 Considered to be one of the most sacred and ecologically important rivers The ‘Vedas’ were written on the banks of Yamuna Yamuna is vital for the support of the Economy and Ecology of the wildlife, the Eco-system and the water security of the Capital. River Yamuna came to be called as "Kalindi" as she touched the peak of Kalind. Then she descended down the hills and reached the plains at Khandav Vana which has been developed as Delhi city now. Yamuna supports a wide variety of plant and animal species and is home to thousands of resident and migratory birds. The banks of the river are one of the last refuges for the dwindling populations of blackbucks, chitals, nilgais, etc. It is said that Yamuna is the consort of Lord Shri Krishna and her home is Gokula, the divine abode of the Lord. Yamuna first went round Shri Krishna before descending down to sanctify the world. River Yamuna serves as the lifeline to millions of people, providing drinking water and is also used for irrigating vast agricultural lands.

Facts Page | 5 Approx. 70% of the pollution in Yamuna is human excrement. – Central Pollution Control Board 3.6 billion litres of sewage is generated from Delhi everyday – Less than 50% is treated and the rest goes into Yamuna as it is! 57 million people dependent on Yamuna 60% of Delhi’s water needs are served by Yamuna The Yamuna Action Plan started in 1993 has not met with much success despite spending billions of rupees Yamuma Action Plan II Supreme Court has given green signal to Rs 2.5 billion plan Too Little and Too Slow? There are doubts about the efficacy of the plan being implemented We all need to RISE and Take Action

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The Partners Page | 7 TAPAS … more leading organizations are becoming partners soon Health Fitness Trust

The Plan  Mar 7, 2010 Meri Dilli, Meri Yamuna The Venue: Purana Quila Where the Yamuna once flowed on its east side The citizens of Delhi-NCR gather to launch a massive Yamuma Cleaning Awareness Campaign  Launch the Citizens’ Initiative   Mar 14, 2010  Thousands of Citizens join to clean the Yamuna Banks  Sep’10  A million Citizens come out and clean the City – and show the world ‘It is possible’ And present a clean city for the visitors to the Commonwealth Games Page | 8

Mar 7: Meri Dilli, Meri Yamuna  Launch in the presence of H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Chief Minister of Delhi Ministers of Government of India and Delhi Government Leaders of the Corporate Sector and Business Community Senior Officials of the various Departments – Jal Board, Environment, Police, Defense Forces, etc. NGOs, Resident Welfare Associations, Students Leaders from Arts, Culture, Music, Education, Schools, Colleges The Citizens of Delhi-NCR  Oath for Increasing Awareness about the need for cleaning Yamuna and for Cleaning on March 14 – A Call for Action  Mass Meditation for Yamuna to be conducted by H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  Performances by Shovana Narayan and Salauddin Pasha Page | 9

Mar 14: On the Yamuna Banks Page | 10 7 Teams on 7 Ghats

Sep’10  ‘Clean Delhi’ before the Commonwealth Games  Commonwealth Games: Oct 3 to 14, 2010  We choose a day about 2 weeks earlier Sep 19, Sunday or Sep 26, Sunday  The Goal: A Million People participate 5% of Delhi-NCR population  Biggest ever community project: A World Record Show the world ‘It is Possible’ Set an example for the world – and inspire the new generation Becomes the ‘global story of the year’ Page | 11

The Methodology  Instill a sense of pride in the people of Delhi-NCR  A ‘can do’ spirit ….set an example for the world  Everyone will participate || A Public Event  Detailed Planning and Project Management Communication and Publicity Volunteers for the Project Inspiring and signing up a million people Technology and IT Partnerships Cleaning and Disposal  Media will help reach the public Becomes the ‘story’ of the year! Internationally! Page | 12

A Wonderful Example Page | 13