Simhastha: MP plans greening drive along Kshipra river bank

Bhopal: In a bid to promote fruit plantation along the banks of the Kshipra River, a three-year action plan has been drawn by the govt for planting 64,400 fruit plants of guava, lemon, and orange in over 230 hectares in 76 villages of the development blocks of Ujjain, Ghatiya, Mahidpur, and Khachrod.The govt claims it would benefit over 460 farmers. As per the govt, Rs 1.15 cr would be incurred for carrying out the fruit plantation.The project was part of govt plan for Simhastha 2028, though how much the trees would grow or bear fruits would depend on the size of plants and saplings.Simhastha 2028 is expected to fall in April and May, when temperatures are typically at their peak.Apart from taking forward infrastructure projects and world-class amenities for the expected 30-35 crore devotees at the mega pilgrimage, plans were drawn for availability of flowers and increase in green cover around the area.The drive to promote fruit plantation in question was of the horticulture dept. On the other hand, forest dept has also planned its separate plantation drive in Ujjain and surrounding areas.Neem, kadam and palash trees would be planted across the Simhastha mela area in Ujjain as part of a large-scale plan to create shaded zones for devotees during the 2028 event, with around 15 lakh saplings to be planted this year.Officials said plantations will be carried out across the Simhastha area as well as along the Panchkoshi route, which sees heavy footfall.