Save Soil storms into global consciousness as Sadhguru, the Isha Foundation founder embarked on a 100-days lone motorcycle journey across 27 nations as part of the Save Soil movement on 21st March 2022. His journey began in London on 21st March and will culminate in the Cauvery river basin in late June.
After riding through the bone-rattling chill of Europe and the furnace of the Arabian desert, Sadhguru sets foot on the soil of Bharat alighting at the Jamnagar port in Gujarat after his #JourneyForSoil met with resounding success in Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Sadhguru sailed for three days on the Indian Ocean after leaving from Port Sultan Qaboos, Oman, to reach India’s west coast.
Sadhguru received a rousing welcome from the Indian Navy, as their band played the Save Soil Anthem. Capturing the essence of the movement, the crowd chanted ‘Dharti ki pukaar, dharti ki lalkaar, dharti ki dahaad, mitti bachao ped lagao’, while Sadhguru planted a sapling, signifying the beginning of the Journey for Soil in India.
Amidst all the pulsating drumbeats, vibrant folk performances and high-voltage slogan chants from thousands across the states were heard, Sadhguru addressed the crowd, asking them to keep up the momentum to Save Soil. “At least for the next 30 days you must keep your voice full up, not just a one-day shouting. In a sustained way, for 15-20 mins everyday keep the message up until we hear that every government in the world comes up with policies to regenerate the soil.”
Reiterating that we all hold a powerhouse in our hands in the form of a phone, he urged everyone to make use of social media to speak about Soil. “When you have power like this, we must make it happen”
Ektaba Sodha, Representative of Jamsaheb, Jamnagar, was joined by religious and political leaders besides the Commanding Officers of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force to receive Sadhguru at the Port. She expressed that it was her pride and privilege to be part of this historic event. “He’s been influencing policy change, he’s been educating, he’s been creating awareness about save soil, and it’s very important to know that today is the second time in the history of Jamnagar, and at the invitation of the Royal Family a civilian is arriving at the cargo port with a special Notification.”
Walking to his motorcycle- which arrived with him on the tugboat – Sadhguru acknowledged the performing artists.
He got into the now familiar act: revving up his motorcycle. Riding through the port past a serpentine line-up of hundreds of Save Soil volunteers, Sadhguru acknowledged their roaring cheers before proceeding to the Navy Gate where the Navy Band struck up a musical tribute in the presence of the Commanding Officer and senior naval officers. With a heartfelt gesture of thanks, Sadhguru exited the port to continue his Journey in India.
The primary objective of the Save Soil Movement is to urge all nations of the world to mandate a minimum of 3-6% organic content in agricultural soils through urgent policy reforms. Without this minimum organic content, soil scientists have warned of the imminent death of soil, a phenomenon they are terming as ‘soil extinction.’
In India, the average organic content in agricultural soils is estimated to be 0.68% placing the country at high risk for desertification and soil extinction. Nearly 30% of fertile soils in the country have already become barren and are incapable of yield. It is estimated that nearly 25% of fertile land has been desertified globally. The United Nations has warned that at current rates of soil degradation, 90% of the earth could turn into desert by 2050- less than three decades from now.
Soil extinction could lead to unprecedented ecological, economic and social catastrophes worldwide. This includes intensifying climate change, global food and water shortages, brutal civil strife and migratory exodus across continents threatening the security and cultural fabric of every nation.
The Save Soil Movement is supported by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN World Food Programme, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Since Sadhguru began his journey 68 days ago, 74 nations around the world have pledged concrete action to save soil in their countries.
-This article is a contribution by Isha Foundation in collaboration with Varnam Malaysia-
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