Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has proposed the rejuvenation of 13 major rivers across the country, including the Mahanadi in Odisha, through “forestry interventions’’ with an outlay of Rs 19,343 crore.
The detailed project reports (DPRs) were released by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday in the presence of Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The DPRs have been prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
The 13 rivers include Himalayan and Peninsular rivers and one inland river Luni. The rivers flow through 24 states and two Union Territories — Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi (in Odisha), Krishna, Cauvery and Luni.
The rejuvenation plan will be funded by the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board.
The 13 rivers collectively cover a total basin area of 18,90,110 sq km, which is 57.45 per cent of the country’s geographical area. The total length of the rivers and their 202 tributaries within the delineated riverscapes is 42,830 km.
The rejuvenation plan will address the three major landscapes along these rivers — natural, agricultural and urban.
Development over the years has adversely impacted the rivers and their basins, resulting in reduced water flow, deforestation in catchment areas, fragile ecology, bank and soil erosion, siltation and shifting cultivation.
The forestry interventions through plantations will aim to augment water flow and groundwater recharge and check erosion. A total of 667 treatment and plantation models have been proposed along the rivers.
The rejuvenation plan will increase the cumulative forest cover, help in groundwater recharge, check siltation, boost forest produce and generate employment.
The aim is: ‘Aviral Dhara’ (continuous flow), ‘Nirmal Dhara’ (clean and clear flow) and ‘Swachchh Kinara’ (cleaner banks).
