Odisha Government launches Green Mahanadi Mission

Odisha Government has launched ‘Green Mahanadi Mission’, a plantation drive under which 2 crore saplings will be planted along Mahanadi river and its tributaries. It was launched by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Paitnaik.

Green Mahanadi Mission

The main objective of the mission is to stop soil erosion on river banks and recharge the groundwater reserve. It also aims to protect the Mahanadi River and keep it alive. Under this mission, more than 5 crore saplings will be planted over an area of 41,000 hectares along the banks of Mahanadi river and its tributaries Ib and Tel rivers. It will be implemented jointly by  States Departments of Forest, Horticulture and Watershed Development. Mainly fruit-bearing trees like mango, jackfruit and jamun will be planted within one km radius of the river bank.

Mahanadi

Mahanadi is major river in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 square kilometres and has total course of 858 kilometres. It flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha. It originates from highlands of Chhattisgarh through collection of array of streams and reaches Bay of Bengal. It left bank tributaries are Shivnath, Mand, Ib, Hasdeo and right bank are Ong, parry river, Jonk, Telen.  Mahanadi valley is known for its fertile soil and flourishing agriculture. Hirakud Dam across the river is longest major earthen dam in India.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2018