The banks of 40 rivers became green due to the plantation of 47 lakh saplings.
Raipur, 24 July 2023
During the last 04 years in Chhattisgarh, 46 lakh 76 thousand 729 saplings have been planted on the banks of 40 different rivers under the ‘River Bank Plantation’ programme. Due to its planting, 4 thousand 321 hectare area of the river bank is covered with greenery and scented with fruit-flowering plants, which has become a center of special attraction.
According to the intention of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, under the guidance of Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar, the river bank plantation was done by the department. These have been planted under the River Bank Plantation Program including Campa and departmental items. The rivers covered during the last 04 years under the River Bank Plantation Program are Shivnath, Indravati, Phulkadei, Kendai, Leelagar River, Mahanadi, Hasdeo, Agar, Red River, Meghanala, Jhinka River, Kelo River, Moran, Sondhur, Ib River, Parry River, Tandula, Narangi, Banki River, Galphula, Hasdo River, Neur River, Kewai, Khatambar, Bhaisun, Chundi, Bhavai River, Banas river, Rampa river and Bhulu river, Mahan river etc. are included.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri V. Srinivasa Rao said that during the year 2019, 9 lakh 14 thousand saplings were planted in 831 hectare area under the river bank plantation programme. Similarly, during the year 2020, 8 lakh 77 thousand saplings have been planted in 845 hectare area, 17 lakh 87 thousand saplings in 01 thousand 647 hectare area during the year 2021 and 11 lakh saplings have been planted in 999 hectare area during the year 2022.
9 lakh 63 thousand man-days of employment has been generated in the state by river bank plantation work. Along with this, the people of 372 nearby villages have directly benefited from works like agriculture and vegetable production under the river bank programme. As a result of river bank plantation, on one hand local villagers have got employment from tree plantation works, on the other hand farmers near the river bank are also getting benefit of convenience in agricultural work and increase in production due to reduction of soil erosion. Under this, the income of the villagers is also increasing due to plantation of fruit trees. Apart from this, the local villagers are also efficiently doing the work of inland crops and vegetable production on the banks of the river.
