‘REJUVENATION’ OF GODAVARI, KRISHNA

SHORT

The stakeholders’ consultation meeting for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for rejuvenation of Godavari and Krishna Rivers through Forestry Interventions for Telangana State was conducted on Wednesday.

The project development phase (DPR preparation) will last one year (2019-20), followed by a five-year implementation phase. Reju-venation of rivers will look into both improving the quantity and quality of river discharge adopting a multi-disciplinary approach.

In his welcome address, Lokesh Jaiswal, Addl PCCF (CAMPA) and State Nodal Officer for Telangana, said that nearly 70 per cent of rivers are affected by drastic fall in discharge and water quality parameters. The initiative of MoEF&CC and ICFRE to rejuvenate nine major river systems of India is a timely initiative.

Speaking about the genesis on the DPR for rejuvenation of rivers, Madan Prasad, Director, IWST, Bangalore stressed on the need for different interventions for different landscapes.

He further spoke on the challenges of deforestation, extensive agriculture, urban sewerage and their effect on river health.

In her visionary statement, R. Sobha, PCCF and HoFF, Telangana State Forest Department, explained that the State needed “Ananth Van” (unending forests), Aviral Dhara (perpetual flow) and Nirmal Dhara (clean water), which are the three ideals that DPR for Godavari and Krishna rejuvenation should strive to achieve. She called upon all the stakeholders to use this opportunity to provide inputs for DPR preparation.