By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 9, 2017: Odisha will plant over two crore trees on Mahanadi River bank in 2018-19 as a part of ‘Mission Green Mahanadi’.

Announcing this on Wednesday at a high-level meeting here, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the state government is committed to “Greener Odisha”.

More than two crore trees will be planted over 75,760 hectares of government land and 47,470 hectares of private land on a mission mode with an objective of recharging and revitalising the groundwater reserve along Mahanadi banks.

Plantation within one km radius of the banks on both sides would primarily include fruit-bearing trees like mango, jackfruit, jamun etc. which will have multiple benefits such as ground water harvesting, preventing soil erosion along the banks and ensuring income and livelihood opportunities for the local communities.

Similar initiatives will be undertaken on Ib and Tel rivers and subsequently extended to all major rivers in the state.

“I called upon all concerned for proper execution of the drive which will conserve environment and be a milestone in ensuring sustainable natural resources for our future generations. We are committed to a Green Odisha for all times to come,” the CM wrote on Facebook.