In a united effort to breathe new life into the Ramnadi river flowing through the Baner area of Pune, Kirloskar Vasundhara and Rotary District 3131 have unveiled an ambitious collaborative initiative set to span the next five years. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by key figures leading the project.
The press conference featured notable speakers, including Manju Phadke, District Governor of Rotary District 3131, R. R. Deshpande, President of Kirloskar Vasundhara, and Virendra Chitrav, the organizer of the Kirloskar Vasundhara festival. Also present were Anand Chitale of ‘VPKPL,’ Dr. Gurudas Noolkar, Curator of Kirloskar Vasundhara, as well as Santosh Pardeshi, Rajendra Kumar Saraf, and Keshav Tamhankar.
This comprehensive campaign is grounded in the principles of water literacy, water culture, water society, and water parliament, all aimed at rejuvenating the Ramnadi river. Numerous organizations, including Vasundhara Swachhta Abhiyan, Ecological Society, Jeevitnadi, Biospheres, Sagarmitra, Bhujal Abhiyan, Jaldevata Seva Abhiyan, Paradkar Foundation, Kirloskar Oil Engines, Kirloskar Pneumatic, and Kirloskar Chillers, have pledged their support for this ambitious endeavor.
The primary objectives of the campaign include:
- Conducting an in-depth study of the Ramnadi basin and devising a comprehensive plan for its revitalization.
- Raising awareness about the river among all stakeholders and actively involving them in the mission to revive it.
- Promoting a sustainable, eco-friendly, and toxin-free lifestyle among residents within the river basin.
- Restoring the river’s health and the livelihoods dependent on it through a blend of public participation and technology.
- Facilitating activities that foster an environment-centric culture, literacy, and the formation of groups and parliaments.
The Kirloskar Vasundhara Ramnadi revival campaign began four years ago with the noble goal of addressing the challenges faced by the 19.2-kilometer-long Ramnadi, which remained largely unknown to Pune residents. This revitalization effort has seen active participation from 12 environmental organizations, 33 colleges, 25 schools located along the riverbanks, employees from three Kirloskar companies, numerous environmental experts, and strong support from the media.
Virendra Chitrav, Convenor of the Kirloskar Vasundhara Festival, expressed optimism about the ongoing efforts, stating, “With the collaboration of these diverse stakeholders, we are making significant progress in the revival of the Ramnadi, transforming it into a thriving natural asset for our community.”
