4 days ago
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.
