Union Minister Jointly Release Detailed Project Reports On Rejuvenation Of 13 Major Rivers Through Forestry Interventions

What is the News?

Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change and Union Minister of Jal Shakti has released the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on Rejuvenation of thirteen Major Rivers through Forestry Interventions. 

What is the idea behind the Detailed Project Reports(DPRs)?

In 2015-16, Forest Research Institute(FRI), Dehradun had prepared DPR for the National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) wherein it had designed DPR focusing on forestry interventions and providing a comprehensive strategy for programme implementation including varied interventions. 

The project seeks to accomplish  ‘Aviral Dhara’ (uninterrupted flow), ‘Nirmal Dhara’ (clean water) and ecological rejuvenation. 

The same is now being applied to the 13 identified rivers.

Detailed Project Report(DPR) for 13 Major Rivers

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun(ICFRE) has prepared the Detailed Project Report for 13 Major Rivers including Himalayan, Peninsular rivers as well as one inland river – Luni.

The rivers identified for forestry interventions include Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Luni, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Cauvery.

The 13 rivers collectively represent 57.45% of the geographical area of the country. 

What is the aim of the DPR for 13 Major Rivers?

Funded by: The project will be funded by the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board. 

The focus of the Project: The Project focuses on the rejuvenation of rivers through protection, afforestation, catchment treatment, ecological restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood improvement, income generation, ecotourism by developing river fronts, eco-parks and bringing awareness amongst the masses. Research and monitoring have also been included as a component.

Under the Project, rivers along with their tributaries are proposed for forestry interventions in the riverscape under different landscapes namely natural landscape, agricultural landscape and urban landscape. 

The different models of forestry plantations including timber species, medicinal plants, grasses, shrubs and fuel fodder and fruit trees are aimed to augment water, groundwater recharge and contain erosion. 

Site-specific treatments in terms of soil & moisture conservation and plantations of grasses, herbs, forestry and horticultural trees have also been proposed for treatment of prioritized sites in the riverscape supported by the GIS technique based on consultations with various stakeholders. 

What are the expected benefits of the Project?

The activities proposed in the DPRs shall help achieve potential benefits of increasing the green cover, containing soil erosion, recharge water table and sequester carbon dioxide in addition to benefits in the form of non-timber forest produce. It would also help generate employment.

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister Jointly Release Detailed Project Reports On Rejuvenation Of 13 Major Rivers Through Forestry Interventions” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.