Rally for Rivers is being examined in earnest by the state and central governments in India. Meanwhile, it is also being seen by global leaders as a model of ecological movement.
Erik Solheim, Executive Director of United Nations Environment (UNEP) lauded the Rally for Rivers initiative in a conversation with Sadhguru at the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), the world’s largest knowledge-led platform on sustainable land use, dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement. The Global Landscapes Forum is led by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), United Nations Environment, the World Bank and the Government of Germany. The GLF conference was held on 19 December 2017 at Bonn, Germany. The conversation explored the vision, objective and implementation of Rally for Rivers and its potential for becoming a solution for tropical regions that face similar challenges of drying rivers, depleting groundwater levels and land degradation. A 1000-member audience at the event consisted of heads of nations, environmentalists, ecologists, policy-makers and other nation-builders and influencers from around the world.
UNEP is the world’s leading environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development. The member nations of the Forum also lauded the Rally for Rivers initiative which received support from 162 million people in 30 days, making it one of the world’s biggest and most successful ecological campaigns.
Fascinating conversation with @SadhguruJV on "planting trees in people's minds." Increasing green cover, tree-based agriculture and private investment in irrigation are critical to saving our rivers! #GLFBonn2017 #ThinkLandscape pic.twitter.com/22TvnJdfzu
— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) December 19, 2017
Best of #GLFBonn2017: "The very body that we carry is just an outcrop of this planet, so there is no good life without a good planet."—@SadhguruJVof @rallyforrivers. More at: https://t.co/R1DGdMxQcf #GLFBonn2017 pic.twitter.com/xm2d1eefw9
— Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) (@GlobalLF) December 30, 2017
.@UNEP can play a pivotal role in making river revitalization a key priority for nations around the world. To leave the planet rich with abundant water & fertile soil is the best gift we can offer to future generations. -Sg https://t.co/fiw6azgl3H #GLFBonn2017 #ThinkLandscape
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 19, 2017
It's time to take an integrated approach towards ecology & economy for well-being of every stakeholder associated with our rivers. -Sg #ThinkLandscape @GlobalLF @ErikSolheim #RallyForRivers #GLFBonn2017
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 19, 2017
The success of #RallyforRivers, that was supported by over 160 million people around the globe, was not in the uniqueness of the idea but its all-inclusive approach. –Sg @ErikSolheim #ThinkLandscape @GlobalLF #GLFBonn2017 https://t.co/fiw6azgl3H
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 19, 2017
GLF aspires to spark a movement of 1 billion people towards sustainable landscapes. It is no surprise then that they were keen to understand how a movement like Rally for Rivers was conceptualized and rolled-out on such a massive scale. One of the key points which Sadhguru brought forth was: “It’s very important that an environmental movement presents our concerns in a way that it’s beneficial for the people. They must understand that by engaging with it they will benefit in some way because they’re just fighting for their survival. You can’t tell them to go save the planet – it’s not going to work. So, this is the fundamental difference that I try to bring about.”
It’s very important environmental movement presents our concerns in a way that it’s beneficial for the people, that they must understand that by engaging with it they will benefit in some way. @NITIAayog @amitabhk87 pic.twitter.com/jONJRz9Dwj
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 26, 2017
It’s very important that the solutions offered by environmental movements are beneficial for people, because a majority of them are still struggling to survive on a daily basis. –Sg @UNEP #GLFBonn2017 #ThinkLandscape pic.twitter.com/tHxFLrFcCz
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 21, 2017
A key focus of #RallyForRIvers draft policy implementation is to demonstrate that shifting from crop-based agriculture to horticulture can be immensely beneficial for farmers. –Sg @ @UNEP #GLFBonn2017 #ThinkLandscape @rallyforrivers pic.twitter.com/CK7DOR547c
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 21, 2017
He also spoke about how those who the society trusts should be brought into the movement. This crucial trust-building exercise with the various stakeholders, including governments, public, industry and farmers are the reason for Rally for Rivers’ success, Sadhguru said. Sadhguru advised other nations to replicate this: “In your countries and in your societies, whoever is that voice, you must pick out that person and make sure that person speaks. It could be a sports star, it could be a film star, it could be a spiritual leader, it doesn’t matter who they are but it’s a trusted voice. Only then we can move the people.” Other points that Sadhguru brought up were about converting filth to wealth, so that wastewater is treated and utilized for irrigation. Sadhguru also stressed on the need to remove taxation on Farmer Producer Organizations, and how local communities should be allowed to participate and also protect the forests they depend on.
Large-scale FPO movement needed to make farming into an organised sector without dislodging individual #farmer. Incentives of tax and investment need of the hour. -Sg @PMOIndia @NITIAayog @EconomicTimes https://t.co/btbc385bNM https://t.co/KkT6N35nhc
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 25, 2017
The discussion was very well-received by all present, who lauded the efforts of Rally for Rivers, which they hoped can be a model for a global ecological movement. The Director-General of CIFOR, Robert Nasi, sent a letter thanking Sadhguru for his participation in GLF and appreciating his insights. “The impact of your involvement cannot be understated,” said Mr. Nasi. A very succinct and appropriate encapsulation of Sadhguru’s and Rally for Rivers’ impact!
.@SadhguruJV received a letter from @CIFOR Director General, Robert Nasi, thanking and appreciating him for his participation in the @GlobalLF #GLFBonn2017. Sadhguru spoke about #RallyForRivers & was very well-received by all present. @ForestsMatter #ThinkLandscapes pic.twitter.com/DJru2WDK2F
— Rally For Rivers – Cauvery Calling (@rallyforrivers) January 7, 2018
.@SadhguruJV : "#Ecology is a global phenomenon and we have to address it as a global phenomenon. Of course there are local solutions, but on the whole we have to look at it as one #Earth, which is what it is" #ThinkLandscape #GLFBonn2017 https://t.co/t5grvsHg3u pic.twitter.com/bRiCAbbV5g
— DW Global Ideas & Environment (@dw_environment) December 26, 2017
RT dw_environment: Sadhguru: 'We shouldn't divide world into East and West on ecology'https://t.co/Ksh0Kfx12h #ThinkLandscape #GLFBonn2017
.SadhguruJV #ThinkLandscape #GLFBonn2017 #climate pic.twitter.com/1vKn1wbK6d https://t.co/fygK3U3wks— DW | Global Ideas (@dw_globalideas) January 5, 2018
Did you miss #GLFBonn2017? Visit snapshots of the event here: https://t.co/QwSidgN3ai Don't forget to #ThinkLandscape! pic.twitter.com/XdtJJBxNBT
— Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) (@GlobalLF) January 5, 2018
Sadhguru: 'We shouldn't divide world into East and West on ecology'https://t.co/wp2jAAU0uG #ThinkLandscape #GLFBonn2017
.@SadhguruJV #ThinkLandscape #GLFBonn2017 #climate pic.twitter.com/dMkM4a5v6J— Mr. LakshmiChetan (@lakshmichetan) January 5, 2018
Forestry & agriculture issues can be tackled together to achieve sustainable landscapes solutions to benefit everyone. READ MORE on the sustainable landscape approach https://t.co/2OsexNiNbY FROM #GLFBonn2017 @Rural21 by @mikegardner #thinklandscape pic.twitter.com/m7prs5LcbY
— Patrick Sakyi (@sakyipatrick) January 4, 2018
Best of #GLFBonn2017: "The very body that we carry is just an outcrop of this planet, so there is no good life without a good planet."—@SadhguruJV of @rallyforrivers. More at: https://t.co/Ku0ynhGVQX #GLFBonn2017 pic.twitter.com/VYXk1bLykr
— Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) (@GlobalLF) January 1, 2018
Featured image courtesy: GlobalLandscapesForum