Sambalpur: A massive plantation drive on the banks of Mahanadi titled ‘Mission Green Mahanadi’ was launched by Sambalpur district administration and the State Forest and Environment department on the occasion of World Environment Day on Tuesday.
Inaugurating the mission from Samaleswari ghat, Sambalpur MLA Raseswari Panigrahi said, “The drive aims to develop a huge green patch along Mahanadi river with plantation of 2 crore saplings on government and private land available on both left and right banks of the river. Out of these 2 crore saplings, 12 lakh will be planted in Sambalpur district.”
The aim of the drive is to protect the river by improving bio-diversity and arrest soil erosion, the MLA added.
On the occasion, an awareness van was inaugurated by the MLA and District Collector Samarth Verma. The vehicle will cover different parts of the district and sensitise public to protect river Mahanadi and promote plantation to maintain environmental balance.
