Mumbai :-Expressing concern over the disappearing of water sources, depletion of water tables and pollution of rivers, Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais called upon the state government to make River Protection a people’s movement.
The Governor was speaking at the dance ballet ‘Ganga’ organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra as part of its campaign for preservation of rivers.
The dance ballet ‘Ganga’ with actor and MP Hema Malini in the lead role was organised at NCPA Mumbai on Sunday (19 Mar).
Complimenting the Government of Maharashtra for its campaign ‘Know the River’ started with the objective of protecting the rivers, the Governor called upon the State Government to prepare plans to arrest the water flowing into the ocean. 
“The State has been witnessing floods and droughts on account of Global Warming and Climate Change. Water shortages are faced during the summer. There is a need to arrest the water from rivers flowing into the sea. This will help the State tide over the water shortages,” said the Governor.
The Governor felicitated Hema Malini and other artists of the dance ballet after their performance.
Speaker of Legislative Assembly Rahul Narwekar, Minister of Cultural Affairs Sudhir Mungantiwar, President of Parmarth Niketan Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Chief Secretary Manukumar Shrivastava, film producers Ramesh Sippy and Subhash Ghai, actor Shatrughna Sinha and invitees from various walks of life were present.
