TOI River Dialogues 2025: ‘Involving the younger generation is essential', says IAS Anurag Srivastava on river rejuvenation
NEW DELHI: The
TOI River Dialogues 2025
, held on April 28 in Lucknow, brought together policymakers, innovators, and community leaders to discuss the future of rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Gomti, which have shaped the region's history, culture, and economy for centuries.
Speaking at the event,
Anurag Srivastava
, IAS, additional chief secretary, department of
Namami Gange
and rural water supply, government of Uttar Pradesh, outlined key strategies for ensuring river health and resilience.
Srivastava stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and dynamic policy framework to meet the evolving challenges in
river rejuvenation
. "The increasing dynamism in environmental and urban pressures demands a flexible but firm response," he said, adding that microanalysis and technological innovations are critical. "We are using drones and focusing on total sewerage tapping to cut pollution at the source," he pointed out.
TOI River Dialogues LIVE | Restoring the Lifelines of Uttar Pradesh
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain
Knee pain | search ads
Find Now
Undo
He emphasised that groundwater and river water systems must be treated as complementary, especially in light of emerging challenges like
groundwater depletion
in the west and south Yamuna regions.
Srivastava highlighted the importance of bringing major stakeholders, including NGOs, local communities, and businesses, into the conservation effort. He advocated for decentralised systems supported by communities, calling them "vital for lasting impact."
In a move to build public ownership, he mentioned the success of
River Literacy Program
that educates and involve the youth. "Involving the younger generation is essential because they are the future custodians of our rivers," he remarked.
Touching on broader social impacts, he pointed to initiatives like 'Har Ghar Nal', which have improved access to drinking water, thereby enhancing quality of life and supporting female education across rural Uttar Pradesh.
Srivastava also discussed the ongoing efforts in pond rejuvenation, including the
Amrit Sarovar Yojana
. He acknowledged that while progress would take time, these initiatives would create long-lasting ecological and social benefits, even though a comprehensive database of restored water bodies is still under development.
On the economic dimension of river rejuvenation, he said, "We must at least begin by recognising it as a pressing need of the hour and align planning accordingly."
He also addressed the use of chemical-based cleaning technologies, cautioning that "solutions are not binary," and stressed that policy must balance society's needs with available technologies.
Srivastava also underlined the critical role of individual responsibility in river conservation, calling it "absolutely essential" for ensuring meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
03-08-2025
- Indian Express
Incomplete approach road to Gurgaon residential society: Builder promises solution within one week, residents not convinced
The standoff between the residents of Gurgaon's ROF Alante, the villagers, and the builder continues three weeks after protests first began on the issue of an incomplete 24-metre approach road. Even as ROF says the issue will be resolved from August 8 onwards, homeowners are not convinced. 'We are struggling here; there are so many problems that one would lose count. The approach road is the main problem, and apart from that, the other amenities. No water; how do we make food? Snakes and stray dogs wander about freely, making it difficult for those with emergency health scares,' said Himani Sharma, who moved into the society in Sector 108 three months ago. The society of 728 flats, located near Dwarka Expressway, was built under the Haryana Affordable Housing Policy. ROF had been offering possession of units to the owners since January. According to the record of land rights documents, and a letter issued by the concerned naib rehsildar dated June 4, the whole stretch of the approach road is a revenue road — recorded in official records as belonging to the Haryana government — since at least 2023-24. The very end of the 24-metre approach road was dug up the last week of July. On Saturday, the villagers allegedly installed tin sheets, forcing residents to use a makeshift hole in a room near the entrance. Alok Srivastava, head of facilities and possessions at ROF, told the Indian Express that they, too, want the issue to be resolved at the earliest, and efforts are on. 'I am concerned with their safety. I do not want enmity between the residents and the villagers. Regarding amenities and utilities, we have categorically and consistently shown the documents of necessary work orders being processed and in place to residents,' said Srivastava. Asked why the issue persists when it was supposed to be resolved at least a fortnight ago, he said the villagers who have been claiming that the land around the property is theirs have relented. 'They would dig up the roads earlier; they have since conveyed that they need time to get their maps and property documents in order before the handover is formally complete,' said Srivastava. The revenue road, which consists of the approach, will be demarcated by civic authorities starting Friday. 'The demarcation should be done that day, and then we will fill the dug up end of the approach road immediately. The first car that enters will be ours, let me assure. Regarding utilities, the process is only stuck at the final stage due to the road, and the pay orders for installation and permanent connection have already been received and are in place. We have delivered all internal works as promised, hence people shifted in the first place. Post Friday, within no time, a blacktop road will be fully in place,' said Srivastava The villagers have come on board now, but their conduct was not in the builders' hands earlier, he asserted. 'We have to protect the residents from the heat and the brunt of the villagers with whom they have to live; they should not suffer later.' The assurances notwithstanding, the residents carried out a brief march in the society near the contentious approach road, carrying banners demanding the promised approach road, an end to alleged 'hooliganism' by the builder, and functional utilities. A woman resident named Rama, who has been living here for six months, said she was forced to send her ageing mother-in-law back home because of the lack of facilities and the fear of needing emergency hospitalisation. RK Sharma, 67 and a resident for 6 months, seconded the point about possible medical emergencies. 'It is such a big project in Haryana and we do understand how the road could have been incomplete. We want it fixed so we can live here peacefully.' Babita, a homeowner from Gurgaon who has not moved in yet, explains her decision. 'I purchased the flat hoping to escape paying rent, which most people wish. But I just cannot move in here. In monsoons, water also gets deposited on the approach road.' 'The builder has been lying. Where is the work on the ground? These things should have been sorted before possession was offered. They are only playing the escape card. Now if the road does get built, it is (in a way) a credit to the media,' said resident Shivani Thusoo. A bunch of three young boys were heard saying, 'Yahan toh theek se cycle karne ki bhi jagah nahi hain [There isn't even a space to properly cycle here (because of the road)].'
Hans India
01-08-2025
- Hans India
SCR General Manager Inspects Dhone–Kacheguda Section; Reviews ABSS Redevelopment Works and Safety Measures
Gadwal: Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, General Manager of South Central Railway (SCR), conducted an extensive inspection of the Dhone–Kacheguda railway section under the Hyderabad Division on Friday. Accompanied by Lokesh Vishnoi, Divisional Railway Manager (Hyderabad Division), and other senior officials from the Headquarters and Division, the inspection covered key stations and infrastructure along the route. The inspection commenced with a rear window inspection of the Dhone–Kacheguda section, during which Srivastava closely examined safety measures related to track maintenance, bridges, and signaling systems. At Kurnool City Railway Station, the General Manager reviewed passenger amenities, station facilities, and the circulating area. He also took stock of the redevelopment works underway as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). During his visit to the Coach Mid Life Rehabilitation (CMLR) Workshop in Kurnool, he reviewed safety protocols and operational efficiency. Srivastava then visited Jogulamba Railway Station, inspecting the waiting hall and other passenger amenities. He also assessed the progress of ABSS redevelopment works at the station. The Gadwal Railway Station was another key stop, where he evaluated both the redevelopment efforts under ABSS and the adherence to safe working practices at the construction site. At Mahbubnagar Railway Station, the General Manager conducted a detailed review of station amenities and facilities, interacted with staff members, and examined the pace of the ongoing ABSS redevelopment works. He emphasized the importance of maintaining safety standards at all worksites and directed officials to accelerate progress to meet the project deadlines. During the inspection, representatives from trade unions met Srivastava and submitted their suggestions and demands related to future rail development in the region. He also engaged with media personnel, providing updates on the various infrastructure and passenger-centric projects currently being implemented across the South Central Railway zone.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Time of India
Nine rivers revived in Rampur through govt, community efforts
Lucknow: Rampur district saw a record nine small rivers come back to life under the river revival programme of the state govt. Govt and community efforts to revive Nahal, Hatiyari, Sajni, Neeli, Aril, Naiya, Revati, Baigul and Chaugaja rivers not only benefitted farmers across more than 100 gram panchayats but also transformed the rural landscape. A govt spokesperson said blocks like Bilaspur, Chamraua, Milak, Saidnagar, Shahabad and Swar became green and groundwater levels started rising again. "The mission owes its success to the combined efforts of the State Mission for Clean Ganga, Namami Gange and the rural water supply department, whose coordinated work executed on a war footing is breathing life back into dried-up rivers," the official said. He pointed out that the revival of the Nahal river is a historic achievement. The river stretches 75 km and passes through 43 gram panchayats in the Milak, Chamraua, and Saidnagar blocks. The river was dry for nearly 60 years. Under the current project, the river started flowing again, and the project generated 1.5 lakh man-days under MGNREGA, employing more than 2,500 families. Chief development officer Nand Kishore Kalaal said the subsurface dam technology, commonly used in southern parts of India, was deployed for the first time in Rampur to revive the Sainani river. Meanwhile, work on the 14-km long Naiya Nadi generated 42,648 man-days and provided employment to 465 families. The river flows through villages like Hasanpur North, Ladpur Semra, Khushalpur and others. The Aril River rejuvenation created 4,260 man-days of work. It passes through Nadarganj, Khanjipura and four other gram panchayats. Revival of the 12 km long Neeli Nadi resulted in 36,000 man-days of work and jobs for 620 families while the work on the 12 km long Revati River benefitted seven gram panchayats, created 27,000 man-days of work, and provided employment to 545 families. "The river rejuvenation campaign in Rampur not only boosted groundwater levels and irrigation facilities but also created sustainable employment opportunities. It is a shining example of environmental restoration along with economic empowerment in rural UP," the official said.
