Once infamous for its dacoits, the Chambal ravines in Madhya Pradesh would be made green by planting trees and helping villagers generate an additional income out of it, Gwalior-based Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (RVSKVV) vice chancellor Vijay Singh Tomar said.
The task for improving greenery there, spread over 6-7 lakh hectares of land in Gwalior-Chambal division, has been assigned to the university by the Centre recently, Tomar told PTI today.
The Centre has given a fund of Rs 2 crore to the RVSKVV for the purpose.
Under the scheme, farmers would be encouraged to plant fruit bearing trees and grow additional crops in the ravines, the vice-chancellor said.
Fruit trees like Mango, Amla, Pomegranate, Guava and Ber (Indian jujube), medicinal plants and those used for firewood would be grown in the ravine areas, Tomar said.
Efforts would be undertaken to spread awareness in farmers that they can earn additional money by planting fruit bearing trees and make fodder available for their cattle year round.
If the scheme turns out to be successful, then food processing units would also be set up there to generate employment avenues for the local people, Tomar said.
So far, the ravines have been known for dacoit menace, but efforts are being made to bring a change in the mindset by transforming the Chambal area into a fertile land, he added.