Bharuch is an industrial powerhouse district in Gujarat. A number of listed PSU and private industries in the oil and gas, machining and tooling, chemicals and dyeing sector thrive here, on what once used to be the most fertile stretch of Narmada river.
It is here, back in 2006, that the late Union Environment and Forest Minister Anil Madhav Dave, would frequently visit. Industrial effluents was killing the Narmada river, and Dave and his 'Narmada Samagra' were the environmental warriors against the industrial poison.
“I have sailed, travelled in a Cessna and trekked by foot along Narmada river doing the Sangh's work,” he would tell young journalists those days after his June 5 Environment Day press conference.
Dave's love for the Narmada spilled over into his other activities as well. Based on his circuitous travels across Narmada river, he authored his famous travel book Amarkantak Se Amarkantak Tak. His home in Bhopal is also aptly called 'Nadi Ka Ghar' (House of Rivers).
He is also accredited for creating the Narmada Festival, and later on making it the International Festival of Rivers, in close association with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
His other interest was rural development, and that also saw him supporting initiatives to put up wind mills in hilly tribal hinterlands of the Satpura range in the border areas of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Later in Delhi, upon donning the role of Union Minister for Environment and Forest, Dave reached out to states like his predecessors had never done before. Even though his efforts would bring him mixed success, he would be relentless with the states in pushing them to compliance.
"Daveji is different. With him it is very difficult to win," Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi chief minister had said after meeting the Union Environment Minister after days of smoggy skies in Delhi. The Delhi chief minister along with chief ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh had agreed to work together on a list of 17 demands of the Environment Ministry, to clean the air in the national capital.
Lately, despite his failing health, Dave was enthusiastic about his ministerial responsibilities. Just before the approval of GM mustard came up to him from the biotech regulator Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), Dave said he would want to discuss with all stakeholders (states) who are objecting the gene-modified oil seed before he signs his approval.
Despite his enthusiasm, Dave's health had been on a downhill slope. Consecutive bouts of pneumonia and viral fever had affected him. While there were rumours that he was undergoing chemotherapy, Dave never really confirmed it when asked about his health.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other important political leaders from across parties have expressed grief at the sudden demise of a committed individual. Dave was declared dead on Thursday morning after he was admitted to AIIMS on Wednesday night.
“We would remember him always as maa Rewa's son,” said Rohit Prajapati of Gujarat-based Paryavaran Sangrakshak Samity (PSS), who has worked with Dave on Narmada conservation.
The Union government sent out wireless messages to all government offices and states informing of Dave's demise on Thursday morning and requested all national flags be at half-mast on May 18 and 19. Dave's funeral and cremation will take place on the banks of the Narmada in Madhya Pradesh, in keeping with his wishes.