Odisha government has launched "Green Mahanadi Mission" by planting saplings on the bank of river Tel in Boudh district and Mahanadi river in Sonepur. The mission is launched to stop soil erosion and increasing recharging capacity through massive plantation near Mahanadi river and its tributaries Tel.
The mission is aimed to create a green belt of 1 KM width covering 75,760 hectares government land and 47,470 hectares private land on both sides of the river beginning from the place, where it enters Odisha to Paradip, where it merges with the Bay of Bengal.
A Green Mahanadi Mission Ratha and a padayatra was also hosted across the Sonepur town, to create awareness among the people about the Mission, a Green Mahanadi Abhijan Logo was also launched.
Under the "Green Mahanadi Mission" five crore saplings will be planted with a roadside length of about 5,000 km over a period of five years at an expenditure of around Rs 5,000 crore.
Plantation of fruit-bearing trees like mango, jackfruit and jamun by the volunteers is also included to provide livelihood opportunities for the local communities.
The Green Mahanadi Mission will be implemented jointly by the departments of Forest, Horticulture and Watershed Development.
Recommended books for UPSC/CSE IAS and State PSCs, click to purchase.