NEW DELHI: Looking beyond Ganga, the Centre on Monday released a detailed plan of action to rejuvenate 13 other rivers, spread over 24 states and two UTs, through forestry intervention. Over Rs 19,000 crore will be spent in the next five years for various afforestation programmes and related activities in the catchment areas of these rivers.
Idea behind the move is to grow green cover along both sides of these rivers and their tributaries to increase ground water recharge, reduce erosion and recharge aquifers as forests absorb rainfall and discharge water slowly into the river stream.
The rivers identified for this rejuvenation model include Yamuna, Krishna,
Cauvery, Mahanadi and Brahamputra.
"The projects will alleviate growing water stress and help achieve national goals related to climate change and sustainable development," said environment minister
Bhupender Yadav while jointly releasing 'detailed project reports' (DPRs) of 13 rivers with 'Jal Shakti' (water resource) minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Thirteen rivers collectively cover a total basin area of over 18.90 lakh sq km that represents 57.45% of the geographical area of the country. The length of 13 rivers, including 202 tributaries within the delineated riverscapes, is 42,830 km.
Under the DPRs, the 13 rivers along with their tributaries will see forestry interventions in the catchment areas under different landscapes -- natural, agricultural or urban. The different models of forestry plantations including timber species, medicinal plants, grasses, shrubs and fuel fodder and fruit trees are aimed to augment water, ground water recharge and contain erosion.
A total of 667 treatment and plantation models are proposed in all the 13 DPRs meant for the proposed forestry interventions and supporting activities, in different landscapes. "Site specific treatments in terms of soil & moisture conservation and plantations of grasses, herbs, forestry and horticultural trees have been proposed for treatment of prioritized sites in the riverscape, supported by GIS technique, based on consultations with various stakeholders," said a note from the environment ministry on the projects.
The DPRs focus on protection, afforestation, catchment treatment, ecological restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood improvement, income generation, eco-tourism by developing river fronts, eco-parks and bringing awareness amongst the masses. The projects will be implemented by state forest departments.
"During execution, 'Ridge to Valley approach' shall be followed and soil & moisture conservation works would precede the plantation operations. Flexibility has been provided in change of species and sites in case the circumstances at the time of implementation so demand. Steering and executive committees at the national level and state level have also been proposed in the DPRs (for better coordination)," said the note.