In a move to conserve and protect rivers, the Maharashtra government organized a tree-plantation conclave at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on September 17 to highlight its mission of planting 50 crore saplings by 2019.

The first plantation conclave in the country was graced by the presence of Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, women and child development minister Pankaja Munde, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev of Isha Foundation.

 Earlier, in July, 5.43 crore saplings were planted as part of the tree plantation programme. The state government and Isha Foundation signed a MoU to carry out large scale plantation along the banks of rivers in Maharashtra under an initiative called Rally for Rivers. 

At the Plantation Conclave, Governor Vidyasagar Rao pointed at five rivers in and around Mumbai—Dahisar, Poisar, Mithi, Oshiwara and Ulhas —which were the lifelines of Mumbai, but has currently been reduced to "drainage lines"  due to the exploitation of rivers. He  emphasized the need to "clean and save the arteries of the nation".

Isha Foundation will act as a consulting and technical partner for the state . It has been successful in  promoting green cover in south India. The state forest department informed that  with suggestions from the Foundation, the state  has planted 4 crore seedlings this year and is targeting 13 crore in 2018 and 33 crore in 2019.

CM Devendra Fadnavis said that he will remain committed and dedicated to this noble cause and expressed his willingness to extend all support to accelerate this initiative. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar pledged to plant "as many saplings as I can" at Donja, a village in Osmanabad, that he adopted last year.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Founder of Isha Foundation was delighted to see the state leaders' enthusiasm to enhance the well-being of rivers irrespective of political differences. His mission to save rivers commenced on September 3 from Kerala and encompasses 16 states including Maharashtra.