Plans for revival of Godavari and Krishna are prepared

By Our Special Correspondent

Rajahmundry MP Margani Bharatram mentioned the conservation and revival of rivers in Parliament on Thursday.

He said that the Center has prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the restoration of 13 major rivers in the country and he sought to know the details of the rivers identified in Andhra Pradesh for this purpose. He also asked the estimated time frame for completion of the proposed works in the state.

Minister of State for Water Power Bishweshwar Tudu replied that his ministry is working hard to reduce pollution in the identified rivers of the country for river conservation and rejuvenation.

It will support the efforts of States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance. A centrally sponsored scheme - National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is based on setting up of sewage infrastructure and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in polluted towns/cities along rivers.

The Minister said that the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently released Detailed Project Reports (DPR) in consultation with the State Forest Department for restoration of 13 major rivers by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun. Departments.

These include Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, Luni, Yamuna, Mahanadi, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Kaveri, Godavari and Krishna.

The proposed outlay of these 13 DPRs under four major components is Rs. 19,342.63 crore-- implementation of forest interventions, strengthening of knowledge management & national capacity building, management phase including scaling-up replication of successful models and national coordination for forest interventions and river conservation.

Among the works proposed under these DPRs is riparian forestation, greening measures, measures to prevent soil erosion, groundwater level, sequester carbon dioxide, watershed treatment, environmental restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood enhancement, income generation, development, development, eco-tourism. Public awareness should be raised to improve water quality and flow in river banks, ecological parks and rivers.

These works are expected to be implemented by state agriculture and horticulture departments, local bodies and state forest departments.