Around 15.41 lakh saplings have been planted on the banks of 26 rivers of Chhattisgarh under the 'River Bank Tree Plantation' programme during this rainy season.
An official communiqué on Sunday said this will increase the green cover in the state by 1,400 hectares besides ensuring the ecological rejuvenation of water bodies and soil conservation.
The plantation has been done using CAMPA and departmental funds.
The rivers covered include Shivnath, Phulkadei, Kendai, Lilagar, Mahanadi, Hasdeo, Aagar, Rihand, Meghanala, Jhinka, Moran, Sondur, Banki, Galphula, Neur, Kewai, Khatambar, Bhaisun, Chundi, Bhavai, Banas, Rampa and Bhulu, it said.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and the head of Forest Force, Sanjay Shukla, said about 2.89 lakh saplings were planted over 263 hectares near eight rivers under the Bilaspur circle.
Similarly, 20,595 saplings were planted in 19 hectares near four rivers in Kanker circle and 31,000 saplings in 29 hectares near two rivers in Raipur circle.
Apart from this, 11.84 lakh saplings were planted in 1,076 hectares near 12 rivers in Surajpur, Balrampur, Korea and Manendragarh forest divisions in Surguja circle, he said.