(a) whether experts from five States through which the Ganga river flows met at the Forest Research Institute and discussed various issues including development of forest on the river bank to ensure continuous flow of water with healthy aquatic species in the river;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the suggestions made by the experts from each of these States and the follow up action taken or proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. The experts from five participating states through which Ganga river flows met at Forest Research Institute (FRI) on 2nd and 3rd July, 2015 for National Level Stakeholders Meeting to discuss various issues including development of forest areas along the river bank by planting indigenous species to ensure continues flow of water with reduced siltation.
The other experts who participated in the discussion were scientists of Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Forest Research Institute, Forest Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India, Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation and officials from Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Eco Task Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Medicinal Plant Board, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Central Water Commission, National Mission for Clean Ganga, State Project Management Group, alongwith participation from Parmarth Niketan, Patanjali Yog Peeth and World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature (India). The detailed intervention plan made by each state was discussed and suggestions were made to further improve Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Forestry Interventions for Ganga.
(c) Following suggestions were made to address the issues relating to development of forest along the riverbank to ensure continuous flow of water with healthy aquatic life:
? Focussed implementation and monitoring mechanism of Detailed Project Report (DPR).
? Prioritization of vulnerable areas in the state for forestry interventions.
? Formulation of Policy and specific plans for encouraging agroforestry on private lands along the river Ganga.
? Involvement of Nehru Yuva Kendra, NGOs, local communities and youth through NCC, NSS etc. to spread awareness about the activities under the Clean Ganga Mission.
? Involvement of Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy (AYUSH) for plantation of medicinal plants along the banks of Ganga.
? Involvement of Forest Departments of the five states for plantation of multi-tier forestry species along the banks of Ganga.
? Emphasis on involvement of Eco-Task Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force for the implementation of interventions in plains and Himalayas respectively.
? Improvement of riparian and terrestrial ecosystems along the Ganges.
? Inclusion of concurrent research issues in the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
All these suggestions are being included in the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) on forestry Interventions for cleaning Ganga.
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