Chattigarh’s River Protection Measures: Case Study

Syllabus: GS3/Conservation 

In News

• The Chhattisgarh government has informed the High Court that it has taken several measures to prevent river pollution following concerns raised over untreated industrial water discharge, polluted water and fish deaths in the Shivnath and Kharun rivers.

River conservation

• It is the planned protection and sustainable management of rivers and their ecosystems to ensure long term availability of freshwater for human needs, agriculture, industry and biodiversity. 
• There is a need for strict and effective river laws as pressures from climate change, population growth, pollution, illegal encroachments and excessive water extraction mount up. 

Major initiatives of Chattigarh: A Case Study 

• Geo-tagging & digital mapping of the river origin points on PM Gati Shakti platform
• Formulation of River Revival Plans for each district, and scientific monitoring of river discharge, groundwater levels and water quality. 
• IIT Roorkee, NIT Raipur and CSVTU Bhilai are working on sustainable restoration plans. 
• A State Level Source Festival and Workshop to be held to bring together experts and stakeholders to further strengthen the river rejuvenation efforts. 
• The government has also directed the district collectors to undertake scientifically sound conservation works, undertake desiltation, riverbank protection, flood control measures and submit geo tagged evidence of restoration activities.
  • For example, the revival plan of Hasdeo river includes catchment treatment, desiltation, plantation, groundwater and water quality monitoring and eco-friendly development of its source.

Other Government Conservation Initiatives  

• River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme: It is a central sector scheme of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • The scheme aims to facilitate integrated planning, investigation, and development of water resources at the river basin level, including both surface water and groundwater systems.
  •  It is implemented through three key organisations—namely, the Brahmaputra Board, the Central Water Commission (CWC), and the National Water Development Agency (NWDA)
• Namami Gange Programme: It is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 with budget outlay of Rs.20,000 Crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
• National River Conservation Plan (NRCP): It is the Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country, excluding those in Ganga basin, by providing financial and technical assistance to the States/Union Territories (UTs) on cost sharing basis.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): In association with the State Pollution Control Boards/Committees in different States/UTs has been monitoring water quality of rivers and other water bodies in the country through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme..

Source: IE