Uma Bharti launches tree plantation drive

New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti Tuesday launched a nationwide tree plantation drive, and a public awareness programme to save India's rivers.

The minister planted saplings along the banks of the Yamuna river in the national capital, and remembered the victims of the massive flash floods in Uttarakhand last year.

"The tree plantation drive will strengthen our river banks and reduce the chances of flood and soil erosion," Uma Bharti said after planting the saplings.

Similar functions were held in Gangotri, Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Nabadweep and Ganga Sagar, said an official statement from the water resources ministry.