The Madhya Pradesh government has formulated a three-year action plan to promote fruit plantation along the banks of the Kshipra River. Under this initiative, 64,400 fruit plants of guava, lemon, and orange will be planted across more than 230 hectares in 76 villages located in the development blocks of Ujjain, Ghatiya, Mahidpur, and Khachrod.
Benefits for Farmers and Investment
The government claims that this project will benefit over 460 farmers. A total expenditure of Rs 1.15 crore has been allocated for the fruit plantation drive. This initiative is part of the broader preparations for Simhastha 2028, the grand Hindu pilgrimage event scheduled to take place in April and May, when temperatures typically peak.
Additional Plantation Drives
Apart from the horticulture department's fruit plantation plan, the forest department has also outlined a separate plantation drive in Ujjain and surrounding areas. As part of a large-scale effort to create shaded zones for devotees during Simhastha 2028, around 15 lakh saplings of neem, kadam, and palash trees will be planted this year across the Simhastha mela area and along the Panchkoshi route, which witnesses heavy footfall.
Infrastructure and Green Cover
The plantation drives are part of the government's comprehensive plan to enhance infrastructure and world-class amenities for the expected 30-35 crore devotees. In addition to improving green cover, the initiative aims to ensure the availability of flowers and other resources for the mega pilgrimage.
The success of the fruit plantation project will depend on the size of the plants and saplings, as well as their growth and fruit-bearing capacity. The government remains optimistic about the positive impact on both the environment and local farmers.
