River Conservation Initiatives in India

Summary of River Conservation Initiatives in India

The Government of India has undertaken several significant initiatives aimed at river conservation, biodiversity, and restoration through collaborative efforts and action plans. Key initiatives and findings include:

• River Cities Alliance (RCA): Launched in November 2022 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the RCA promotes urban river management, strengthens institutional capacity, and fosters inter-city collaboration across river basins. It also supports the creation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs).

• Action Plan for 2025: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an action plan for the RCA focusing on implementing a vibrant and action-oriented roadmap. This plan includes:

  • Capacity building programs
  • Knowledge platforms
  • Development of technical tools
  • Expert guidance
  • Thematic case studies

• River Sensitive Urban Planning: A key objective of the 2025 action plan is to integrate river considerations within city master plans. This includes organizing River Sensitive Master Planning training across different states.

• Ecological Assessments: The Ministry of Jal Shakti, alongside the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, has performed ecological assessments of the Ganga River and its tributaries such as Yamuna, Ghaghra, Ramganga, Kosi, and others. The assessments are financed by the NMCG. Additionally, seven other Indian rivers—Barak, Narmada, Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery, Periyar, and Pamba—were also studied under the same initiative supported by the National River Conservation Directorate.

• Freshwater Biodiversity Dashboard: An information dashboard (www.rivres.in) has been developed by the Wildlife Institute of India to:

  • Disseminate information on the biodiversity profile of rivers.
  • Identify pollution hotspots.
  • Showcase conservation efforts, community engagement, capacity building, and education initiatives carried out within the Ganga River basin and other assessed rivers.

• Himachal Pradesh Initiatives: The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board conducts regular inspections to combat illegal dumping into water bodies, imposing penalties according to the 'Polluter Pays' principle. Moreover, the Government of Himachal Pradesh has established a committee in each district to monitor and prevent illegal dumping from roadworks, particularly along river banks.

• Ministerial Input: This information regarding river conservation and the efforts being undertaken in the state specifically in Himachal Pradesh was provided by Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, during a written reply in Rajya Sabha (Question no. US Q894).

Important Points

• The River Cities Alliance was launched in November 2022.
• An action plan approved for 2025 aims to promote urban river management.
• Focus is on integrating river considerations into city master plans.
• Ecological assessments cover major rivers in India, funded by NMCG.
• A biodiversity information dashboard has been set up to highlight conservation efforts.
• Himachal Pradesh implements strict regulations against illegal waste dumping in rivers.
• Minister Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary provided this information in Rajya Sabha.