The Chhattisgarh government has planted over 46 lakhs saplings on the banks of 40 different rivers under the “River bank tree plantation” in the state during the past four years, claimed a statement from the state government.

“A total of 46,76,729 saplings have been planted on the banks of 40 different rivers under the “River Bank Tree Plantation” programme in Chhattisgarh during the last four years. As a result, 4,321 hectares of river bank area is getting a facelift with an increased green cover adorned with beautiful fruit-bearing and flowering plants, turning the space aesthetically pleasing,” said a statement by the Chhattisgarh public relation department.

“According to the direction of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the work of plantation on river banks was done under the guidance of state forest and climate change minister Mohammad Akbar by the forest department.

“The plantation has been done under the programme using Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and departmental funds,” the statement claimed.

The rivers covered during the last four years under this programme include Shivnath, Indravati, Phulakdei, Kendai, Lilagar river, Mahanadi, Hasdeo, Agar, Rihand river, Meghanala, Jhinka river, Kelo river, Moran, Sondhur, Ib river, Pairi river, Tandula, Narangi, Banki river, Galphula, Neur river, Kewai, Khatambar, Bhaisun, Chundi, Bhawai river, Banas river, Rampa river and Bhulu river.

“During the year 2019, 9.14 lakh saplings were planted in an 831-hectare area under this programme. Similarly, during the year 2020, 8.77 lakh saplings were planted in an 845-hectare area, in 2021 year 17.87 lakh saplings in 1,647 hectare area and 11 lakh saplings were planted in a 999-hectare area during the year 2022,” informed principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest force V. Srinivasa Rao.

“Apart from this, the local villagers are also efficiently doing commercial vegetable production on the banks of the river,” the statement further informed.

Significantly, as per the state forest department, Chhattisgarh has mostly tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forest types.

Tree cover of the state has been estimated using trees outside (TOF) inventory data collected over a period of six years, i.e. 2004-10.