(a) whether the Government has formulated or proposes to formulate any scheme to develop green corridors in small cities and towns located on the banks of small rivers;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the scheme to be formulated in future by the Government to prevent the erosion of soil on the banks of small rivers and conserve rain water through schemes like green corridor?
THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*266 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 11.07.2019 REGARDING “GREEN CORRIDORS” RAISED BY SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA AND SHRI RODMAL NAGAR.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has assigned a study to Indian Council of Forest Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun to undertake a study for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for rejuvenation of major rivers in the country through forestry interventions. In conformity with the decision taken in the Ministry, the ICFRE through its regional institutes has identified thirteen rivers (viz. Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Narmada, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Luni) belonging to nine rivers basins for DPR preparation for their rejuvenation through forestry interventions following holistic approach.
The broad objective of the study is to rejuvenate major river systems of the country through forestry interventions, while the specific objectives are to:
1. Review and assess the existing situation of river basin, past river management & implications and lessons learned,
2. Identify and involve stakeholders and build consensus for design and development of strategies and approaches.
3. Assess ongoing forestry activities of the states engaged in the river management programme(s).
4. Assess potential and possibilities for generation, improvement, and restoration of forest catchments.
5. Assess the conditions of riparian forests and potential of biological filters.
6. Examine the possibility of allied and other income generation activities.
7. Assess the potential of cultivation of medicinal plants and restoration of conservation areas and identify appropriate species and suitable sites.
8. Identify research and monitoring needs and develop a strategy for future research and monitoring, and
9. Formulate strategies, develop approaches, and plan activities for project implementation.
An important component under Namami Gange Programme of Ministry of Jal Shakti is intensive plantation along the banks of river Ganga & its tributaries, which will act as a green corridor in small cities / towns located on the banks of Ganga basin, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) supports the State Forest Departments to plant trees as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for ‘Forestry Intervention for Ganga’ prepared by Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun to carry out plantation in the Ganga river scape. As per the DPR, the plantation is being carried out in all micro-watershed in Uttarakhand and a 5 km buffer all along the bank line/ river course in the States of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, while a 2 km buffer area on either side of the selected tributaries in the above said States.
Since the launch of programme, NMCG has sanctioned plantation projects worth Rs. 269 cr. for plantation over 22000 ha. land in the five Ganga States of Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The green corridor being developed by implementing the DPR for ‘Forestry Intervention for Ganga’ prepared by FRI, Dehradun, will prevent the bank soil erosion in the Ganga river and its tributaries and will also conserve the rainwater.
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