CISF launches Yamuna riverbank greening project inspired by Dhanbad success

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has launched an ecological restoration project spanning six acres near Sarai Kale Khan along the Yamuna floodplain in Delhi. The initiative aims to combat land degradation and soil erosion through extensive tree planting and vetiver grass cultivation, mirroring successful environmental reclamation efforts undertaken in Dhanbad's mining-affected regions of Jharkhand.

The Dhanbad model, which transformed barren coal-belt hillocks into verdant green spaces, has provided the blueprint for Delhi's riverbank restoration work. By adapting these proven techniques to the Yamuna's fragile ecosystem, the CISF seeks to stabilise the floodplain while enhancing its ecological value and resilience against seasonal flooding.

Thousands of saplings have already been planted as part of the phased afforestation programme. The use of vetiver grass, known for its deep root system and capacity to bind soil, complements the tree-planting strategy and serves as a natural barrier against riverbank erosion. The project represents a broader commitment to rehabilitating the Yamuna corridor, one of the National Capital Region's most ecologically stressed waterways.

Official sources indicate the initiative forms part of larger efforts to preserve and restore the Yamuna floodplain's environmental integrity. If successful, the model could be extended to other degraded stretches along the river and replicated in similar ecological contexts across northern India.