Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to plant trees along the Mahanadi river from next year, taking a cue from the success of Narmada experiment.

"We will start plantation along two sides of the Mahanadi river, which runs around 500km, to help retain water in the riverbed and recharge groundwater," said Odisha forest and environment minister Bijoyshree Routray.

"Experience reveals that water retention in the riverbed increases with a rise in the forest cover along it," he said.

The Mahanadi river basin is now experiencing a decrease in water flow because of soil erosion, he said.

A three-member team of experts, led by managing director of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation Jitendra Kumar, had visited the Narmada basin in Madhya Pradesh from September 25 to 27 to study the Narmada Seva Mission and other afforestation activities along the river. Later, the team has recommended the Odisha government to take up similar initiative to conserve the Mahanadi.

Routray said all the people along the Narmada had come together under the banner of Narmada Seva Mission to conserve the river. "Around six crore saplings are being planted along both sides of the Narmada river this year," said the minister.

"To start with, we have decided to plant two crore saplings along the Mahanadi during the coming year," said Routray.

Each year, plantation will be taken up on 100sqkm patch on both sides of the Mahanadi basin, which is the most prominent among 11 river basins in Odisha.

"Plantation will also be conducted along all tributaries and distributaries of the Mahanadi river basin," said the minister.

There are 39 tributaries and distributaries of the Mahanadi river system in Odisha. Prominent among them are the Kathajodi, Daya, Bhargavi, Devi, Kushabhadra, Nuna, Chitrotpala, Gobari, Hansua, Ong, Jonk, Suketel, Indra, Tel, Udanti, Bagh, Brutanga and the Dahuka river.

All the forest divisions along the Mahanadi river will be involved in the plantation drive on government land. They have been asked to raise nurseries and take up plantation in a big way. Besides, private landholders will be encouraged to grow fruit-bearing species on their land, instead of going for paddy plantation on their river-side land.