KOZHIKODE: As many as 10 lakh saplings are ready to be planted across the catchment area of river Kabini in Wayanad to rejuvenate the lifeline of the region.
The All-Kerala River Protection Council (AKR-PC), an NGO, has embarked on this ambitious mission with the support of social forestry. The saplings would also be planted in D.B. Kuppe panchayat, which falls in Karnataka.
“Saplings of ‘Aatuvanji’, ‘Manimaruthu’ and ‘Neermaruthu’ among other trees are being provided by social forestry for the afforestation,” said AKRPC general secretary T.V. Rajan. He rues that Kabini, which originates from Madikeri in Karnataka, had dried up like never before. “A workshop conducted by AKRPC in Pulpally has called for urgent steps for the conservation of the river,” he said.
Along with the planting of saplings, it has made a comprehensive plan to restore the life of Kabini using the expertise of Kozhikode NIT, Centre for Water Resources Develo-pment and Management (CWRDM), Calicut Univ-ersity and other government agencies,” he added.
The saplings would be planted in phases using NSS and social forestry club volunteer students. Kudumbashree members will be roped in to conserve the plants. “Nabard has agreed to provide fund for the conservation of the saplings up to five years. Those who take care of the saplings would be provided financial aid,” Mr Rajan said.
The long-term plan for the conservation of the river includes survey of the un-notified land adjacent to the river and providing a green fence. The notified land would be declared as community reserve forest and handed over to wildlife department.
Banning of all mining activities which cause the stoppage of water seepage to Kabini is another measure. Greens are awaiting rains to start planting the saplings to harness a green shield to the lean Kabini.
