Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat headed the activity undertaken to dig holes for tree plantation on the banks of the Rispana river in Dehradun. To mark the World Environment Day, the CM led the effort at Daudwala as part of the mission Rispana to Rishiparna. As part of this mission about 2.5 lakh trees are to be planted along a 32 kilometre stretch of the Rispana from its source to the downstream area.
Speaking on the eve, the CM said that Rispana to Rishiparna is an ambitious long term plan of the Government.
The support of local residents along with various Govt and non Governmental organisations, institutions and people from other States too is being received under this mission. For the revival of the Rispana and Kosi rivers, a day will be fixed during Harela festivities and a total of about 3.5 lakh trees will be planted along these two rivers within one day. This task of tree plantation will be carried out with public support.
The CM said that in the initial stage a target has been set for facilitating the revival of Rispana and Kosi rivers. After this, work will be undertaken for revival of other sources of water in the State.
Greeting the people on the occasion of World Environment Day, the chief minister said that all are responsible for conservation of the environment. Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for a nation free of plastic waste, Rawat exhorted the public to provide full support in achieving this target. Informing that the ban on polythene will be strictly enforced in the state from July 31 onward, he said that the wholesalers of polythene had been directed to dispose of their stock by then.
A week before this date, various events will be held across the State to raise public awareness on the damage caused by polythene, he added.
The Dehradun District Magistrate SA Murugesan informed that the stretch of the Rispana from its source at landour- Shikhar Falls to Mothrowala-Daudwala had been divided into 39 blocks for tree plantation. Various tree species will be planted in this area. Thirty per cent of these trees will be fruit bearing trees. Dharmpur MlA Vinod Chamoli, jawans of the Garhwal Rifles and local residents also participated in the activity on Tuesday.