Afforestation campaign organised in 5 Ganga basin states

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) launched the "Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan" campaign in five main stem Ganga basin states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, said Ministry of Water Resources on Thursday.

The week-long tree plantation initiative, launched on July 9 and continued till July 15, is observed as 'Shubharambh Saptah'.

The State Forest Departments of the five states were made responsible for the smooth and effective execution of the campaign. Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) were been designated as the district level nodal officer and Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) at the state level for organizing the events.

Apart from that, various organisations like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Ganga Vichar Manch (GVM), NGOs and educational institutions participated in the event.

"The campaign which has been initiated as part of the Forest Interventions in Ganga (FIG), component of Namami Gange programme, is of immense importance and aims to bring greater awareness among people and other stakeholders regarding the importance of afforestation for the task of Ganga rejuvenation," said an official statement released by the ministry.

A number of schools, colleges and departments were requested to "Adopt a Plant" for turning this campaign into a people's movement. Various seminars, workshops, lectures, drawing and painting competitions etc. are being organised for the same purpose.

In order to implement the afforestation project in a scientific manner, Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun was assigned to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the basis of which the State Forest Departments would carry out their plantation activities.

The FRI report provided a detailed approach with potential plantation and treatment models.