1.5 lakh saplings to be planted on banks of Rispina river in July

DEHRADUN: In a major effort to revive Rispina river, a total of 1.5 lakh sapling will be planted on a single day in July. The digging of pits for the plantation drive would commence from May 5. The project shall start from Shikhar Fall, which is the start point of the river passing through various areas of the state capital.
Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh reviewed the preparations for the plan in Secretariat on Friday and said that besides forest department, Eco-Task Force, Irrigation Department, people’s participation in this mission should be ensured.
The help of various organisations, NGOs and students should also be taken, said the chief secretary. To ensure success of the project, the area of river Rispana has been divided into blocks. The sub-blocks have also been identified to facilitate the work. Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have started with the cleaning of the river bank and the bushes around it are being cleared.
It is an ambitious project of the BJP government. Soon after taking charge, CM Trivendra Singh Rawat had committed to the people to revive Rispina and Kosi rivers of Uttarakhand.
The chief secretary gave instructions to plant at least 50,000 fruit plants so that the wild animals can get fruit in the forests to eat. The plantation of fruit trees can prevent human-wildlife conflicts. Therefore, thousands of saplings of mango, bail, anwla and jamun are to be planted on the banks in July.