KalingaTV News Network
Boudh/Subarnapur: In a bid to protect the natural flow of Mahanadi river, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ‘Green Mahanadi Mission’, massive plantation programme, in Boudh and Subarnapur distircts on Tuesday.
More than 2 crore saplings will be planted over 41,000 hectares of land on both sides of the river within five years under the programme. The state government is slated to spend around Rs 5,000 crore for the purpose.
The objective of the mission is to check soil erosion, ground water recharge and keep the river clean and its embankment green.
“Mahanadi is not a river. It is our mother. Lakhs of people depend on it for their livelihood in Odisha. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all of us to protect Mahanadi,” said Patnaik while addressing the gathering in Subarnapur.
Odisha Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray formed that the plantation drives will also be taken up along Ib and Tel rivers, the tributaries of Mahanadi.
The CM had earlier announced the initiative in November 2017.
Ms Kalinga