Over 3 Lakh Join Maharashtra’s ‘Maha Walkathon – Walk For Water’ To Promote Soil And Water Conservation

Mumbai witnessed a massive participation of over three lakh individuals in the Maharashtra's 'Maha Walkathon – Walk for Water' event. This event was organized across all 36 districts to raise awareness about soil and water conservation. Speaking at the state-level event held near Sagar Point in Worli, Sanjay Rathod, the State Soil and Water Conservation Minister, emphasized the need for people's participation in conservation efforts.

The initiative was part of Maharashtra's efforts to build a water-secure future, observing August 21 as Water Conservation Day in honor of late former chief minister Sudhakarrao Naik. The campaign aimed to promote the message of "Save soil, conserve water and build a safe Maharashtra." Instead of confining discussions on water conservation to government meetings, the department chose to reach out directly to people and increase public awareness.

The minister urged especially young people to join the water conservation movement, recalling Naik's significant contributions to water conservation by establishing institutional frameworks and turning the concept of "stop water, let it percolate" into a mass movement. Prithviraj Chavan, the Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson, praised the Maha Walkathon as an innovative initiative reaching every section of society, emphasizing that water conservation should transcend caste and religion.

The three-kilometre state-level walkathon began at Aarey Milk Colony and concluded at Madraswadi along the coastal road. Notable participants included actors Pushkar Shrotri, Jackie Bhagnani, Rajneesh Duggal, former cricketer Irfan Pathan, and singer Sanju Rathod, who all pledged to conserve soil and water.