Rejuvenation of rivers in India: challenges and a suggested framework

Rivers are degrading in almost all continents as exploitation of natural resources to meet rising human needs is increasing. Healthy rivers flow through nature-loving and caring societies. This paper takes a look at the causes of river degradation in India to find ways to rejuvenate rivers. Before initiating river rejuvenation programs, it is necessary to ascertain why the river has degraded and then determine the required efforts, skills, tools, and finances. Suggested approach to rejuvenate large rivers is discussed with Upper Ganga and Yamuna River region as a case study. A river basin approach addressing water quantity and quality, demand management, groundwater depletion, treating incoming sewage from urban areas and industries, floodplain management, and responsible use of chemicals in catchments can yield desired results. The most successful programs are likely to be those that shift from project-based river cleaning to long-term, science-based river basin management.