The Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Trust (HDPT) has asked the Central government to allocate funds to protect the Gundlakamma river under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). With the funds, it plans a 280-km afforestation programme along both banks of the river, an anti-encroachment drive and a boundary survey for the rejuvenation work. This ancient and holy river is the lifeline of the district’s people,” he said. “As it is vital to support such perennial lifelines of south India, we seek financial assistance for the full revival of the river. Apart from the river conservation, we aim for the overall ecological protection through specialised awareness programmes focusing on tree plantation to instil strong environmental consciousness among youth, students and the general public,” he added.