River banks in Chhattisgarh will get a facelift with increased green cover including fruit-bearing and flowering plants.
“Nearly 47 lakh saplings have been planted on the banks of 44 rivers under a River Bank Tree Plantation programme in Chhattisgarh in the last four years,” an official communiqué said on Tuesday.
As a result, 4,321 hectares of river bank area is getting a facelift with increased green cover, turning the space aesthetically pleasing, it said.
The plantation has been done under the programme using CAMPA and departmental funds.
The rivers covered include Shivnath, Indravati, Phulakdei, Kendai, Lilagar, Mahanadi, Hasdeo, Agar, Rihand, Meghanala, Jhinka, Kelo River, Moran, Sondhur, Ib, Pairi, Tandula, Narangi, Banki, Galphula, Neur, Kewai, Khatambar, Bhaisun, Chundi, Bhawai, Banas, Rampa and Bhulu.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Sanjay Shukla, said that in 2019, 9.14 lakh saplings were planted over 831 hectares.
Similarly, in 2020, 8.77 lakh saplings were planted, 17.87 lakh saplings in 2021 and 11 lakh saplings were planted in 2022.
Employment of 9.63 lakh human days was created through this plantation work.