Rivers Being Revived — Active Participation of Government and Society in Water Conservation
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan is a major initiative by the Madhya Pradesh Government towards water conservation. Launched under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the campaign is being implemented from March 30 to June 30, with the goal of conserving and rejuvenating rivers, water sources, and wetlands. Encouraging results are emerging due to the joint efforts of the government and the people.
Revival of Ghoda Pachhad River and Other Tributaries
In Khandwa district, with support from local citizens and administration, the Ghoda Pachhad River — a tributary of the Narmada — has been revived. Uncontrolled groundwater extraction had dried up this and other small rivers, affecting agriculture. Through water conservation structures built using the “Ridge to Valley” principle, water has been harvested over a 33 km stretch. As a result, the Ghoda Pachhad River is once again flowing, and year-round water flow in the region’s rivers is now becoming a possibility.
Survey of Rivers and Setup of STPs
The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board surveyed major rivers including Narmada, Chambal, Shipra, Betwa, Son, Tons, Tapti, Kanh, Mahi, Sindh, and Ben Ganga. It was found that approximately 450 million liters of domestic wastewater is discharged daily into these rivers via 158 drains. To address this, the Urban Development Department is setting up Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a total capacity of 869 million liters per day.
Madhya Pradesh’s Leadership in Wetland Conservation
While the state had only one Ramsar Site in 2002, by 2025 this number has grown to five. Indore becoming the first Wetland City of India is a matter of pride for the state. Following the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the State Wetland Authority has successfully completed the physical verification and demarcation of 13,565 wetlands larger than 2.25 hectares within the stipulated time. Additionally, Indore Municipal Corporation and EPCO have preserved 330 traditional wells and stepwells, contributing to the revival of the city’s historic water culture.
Shared Responsibility for Environmental Protection
Preserving ecological balance requires public participation. Rivers, trees, mountains, and humans are all interdependent. The Jal Ganga campaign embodies this collective responsibility, ensuring that our priceless legacy of water, life, and nature is safeguarded for future generations.
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