Environmentalists to embark on ‘padayatra’ for Godavari conservation

The team will visit every riverside habitation along the route from Triambakeshwar to Yanam; to raise awareness about water pollution and the sacred significance of Godavari

Hyderabad: A group of environmentalists, led by activist Sudhir Sudhakarrao Bindu, recently made a pledge in Sonpeth block of Parbhani district in Maharashtra, to work toward the cleansing of the Godavari river. The pledge, known as ‘Godavari Sankalp’, was made in the presence of Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, a renowned Vedic scholar and astrologer from Varanasi, recently honoured with the Padma Shri for his contributions to literature and Indian spiritual traditions.

The team will embark on the Godavari Parikrama, a padayatra (foot pilgrimage) spanning from Triambakeshwar to Yanam and back, visiting every riverside habitation along the route. Their mission is to raise awareness about water pollution and the sacred significance of Godavari among local communities.

The parikrama is set to commence in October 2026, aligning with the Mahakumbh at Nashik, and will continue until the Godavari Pushkaralu celebrations in July 2027 in the river bank towns across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

This is not the first initiative of its kind. Two years ago, Sudhir Bindu led a similar journey through Maharashtra’s riverbank villages, receiving overwhelming support from locals. He emphasized the urgent need for river restoration, particularly as pollution levels have increased by 300% in the last decade, leading to the disappearance of aquatic species, including various fish and crocodiles. The water is now unfit for human consumption and agriculture, posing serious environmental and economic threats.

One of the primary concerns is illegal sand and soil mining, which disrupts the natural flow of the river and accelerates degradation. Bindu stresses that pollution control measures, habitat restoration, and community awareness must be prioritized to ensure the Godavari’s revival before the Pushkar festival.

Environmentalists like him hope that the Godavari Parikrama will serve as a catalyst for action, inspiring authorities and citizens alike to protect and restore India’s second-longest river before it is too late.