Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti today released detailed project report (DPR) on forestry intervention for a Clean Ganga in New Delhi. The DPR envisages extensive plantations in natural, agricultural, and urban landscapes. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Bharti said more than four crore trees will be planted in the next five years in the 1.13 lakh hectare land. She said, the total cost of the project will be around 2200 crore rupees. The Minister informed initially the project will focus on five states, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Ms Bharti said that Forestry intervention on Ganga will be carried out in a time bound manner.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Environment Prakash Javadekar said forests should be set up in the catchment area of the river to maintain the lively relationship between forests and water. He said that trees and plants prevent soil erosion, recharge water and also increase the level of groundwater. The Minister said that one-third of the pollution from industries has been reduced. He emphasised the fact that the release of black liquor and spent discharge into the river has been stopped almost completely, which is a major success.

Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti today released detailed project report (DPR) on forestry intervention for a Clean Ganga in New Delhi. The DPR envisages extensive plantations in natural, agricultural, and urban landscapes. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Bharti said more than four crore trees will be planted in the next five years in the 1.13 lakh hectare land. She said, the total cost of the project will be around 2200 crore rupees. The Minister informed initially the project will focus on five states, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.