MoEFCC releases a river rejuvenation plan

Context

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched a river rejuvenation plan through forestry intervention for 13 major rivers and their tributaries across India.

What is in the river rejuvenation plan?

• The Detailed Project Report (DPRs) on rejuvenation is to be implemented through forestry interventions.
• The DPRs recognise the merit of adopting a holistic riverscape approach for forestry interventions in three types of landscapes viz., natural, agriculture, and urban within the vast expanse of a riverscape besides conservation interventions including
  • soil and moisture conservation measures
  • riverine and riparian wildlife management
  • wetland management
• The ultimate aim is: ‘Aviral Dhara’ (continuous flow), ‘Nirmal Dhara’ (clean and clear flow) and ‘Swachchh Kinara’ (cleaner banks) with improved terrestrial and aquatic biota, and livelihoods.

How would it be achieved?

• The plan looks at rejuvenating the rivers primarily by creating riparian forests, or planting trees along the river.

• The planned planting of trees for river rejuvenation will sequester 50.21 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent after 10 years, while after 20 years they are expected to sequester 74.76 million tonnes of CO2e.
• CO2 equivalent (or CO2e) means CO2 or any other greenhouse gas having the same global warming potential as CO2.

The 13 Rivers

• The Detailed Project Report (DPRs) on rejuvenation through forestry interventions were released for rivers:
  • Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra in the Himalayan region
  • Luni in the inland drained category
  • Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Cauvery in the Deccan or Peninsular region
• Area covered: Together, these rivers cover 57.45 per cent of India’s geographical area.