Forests in catchment area can prevent Ganga pollution: Javadekar

New Delhi, March 22:  Forests and more greenery should be developed in the catchment areas of the Ganga river to rid it of pollution, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday.

Terming the rendra Modi government’s commitment to keep the Ganga “alive” and free from pollution, he said forests should be “set up in the catchment area” of the river to maintain the lively relationship between forests and water.

The minister was speaking after releasing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Forestry Intervention for Ganga here alongwith Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.

The project report submitted to the government by the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun envisages active involvement of two battalions of the Eco Task Force in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh for raising plantations in difficult terrains, official sources said.

Javadekar said trees prevent soil erosion, recharge water and also increase the level of groundwater.

Agreeing with Javadekar, Bharti said large-scale vegetation along the Ganga will also help enrich the aqua life.

She said the plantation programme will start from Uttarakhand.

Javadekar said that from time immemorial, vegetation along the Ganga had medicil powers to keep the river water clean.

Complimenting the experts of FRI for their contribution in the preparation of the voluminous report, Bharti said her ministry will start implementing the report very soon. (IANS)