U.P. pushes river rejuvenation initiative to strengthen rural sustainability, ecological resilience

The initiative, primarily through State Mission for Clean Ganga, eyes to rejuvenate many other small rivers across Uttar Pradesh. File | The initiative eyes to rejuvenate many other small rivers across the State. In Pilibhit, the Gomti river was rejuvenated along a 47 km stretch across 16 gram panchayats through widening and deepening of the channel, revival of 23 ponds, and construction of ghats, the river regained its continuous flow.Similarly, in Bulandshahr district, the Neem River was revived through a 29 km intervention under MGNREGA, while in Rampur, three seasonal streams — Revati, Nahal, and Neeli — were brought back to life. In Sambhal, the Sot River was revived under the initiative, the officials said.“Environmental protection, especially the ‘Small Rivers Rejuvenation’ and ‘Massive Planation drive’ are on the priority list of the State government. To ensure the above, the Namami Gange department of Uttar Pradesh has taken up rejuvenating rivers as the top most priority work and has started working on preparing plan of ‘District River Rejuvenation plan’ specific to each District under which the comprehensive small Rivers rejuvenation plans are being formulated, Planned and Executed by the District Ganga Committee headed by District Magistrates with the help and support from all concerned line Departments and stake holders,” said Anurag Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Namami Gange and Rural Drinking Water Supply Department , Government of Uttar PradeshOfficials said the implementation of these plans on ground and its results are very encouraging.“In Bulandshahr, the Neem River was revived through a 29-km intervention under MGNREGA. Farmers voluntarily cleared encroachments, and plantations along embankments restored ecological balance. The initiative was nationally recognised when the Hon’ble Prime Minister appreciated it in Mann Ki Baat on June 18, 2023,” said Jogindra Singh, Special Secretary, Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department, Uttar Pradesh.Mr. Singh also said that parallel efforts rejuvenated the Karvan River and the Kali River, where desilting, afforestation, and community mobilisation across dozens of Gram Panchayats restored irrigation, biodiversity, and cultural practices at ghats.“In Sambhal, the Sot River, once reduced to scattered puddles, was dredged and desilted with strong community participation. Its revival reduced flooding, improved groundwater recharge, and reestablished ecological continuity. In Rampur, three seasonal streams—Revati, Nahal, and Neeli—were brought back to life. Channel clearance, recharge pits, filter chambers, and plantations restored their flow, moderated floods, and provided reliable irrigation. These rivers, once nearly extinct, now function as ecological corridors and community lifelines,” he added.Mr. Singh, a 2015-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, said continuous river flows have been reestablished across multiple districts, ensuring reliable irrigation and ecological balance. “Employment generation under MGNREGA has strengthened rural livelihoods, while farmers have embraced natural and river friendly practices that safeguard water resources. Cultural traditions at ghats have been revived, reconnecting communities with their rivers through daily aarti and yoga. These efforts have also enhanced biodiversity, improved groundwater recharge, and moderated floods, making the rejuvenated rivers not only ecological lifelines but also cultural and social anchors for sustainable rural development.”The government said Uttar Pradesh’s small river rejuvenation initiatives “stand as exemplary models of ecological resil