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Key Points

The Sambhal district administration is expanding its innovative river restoration approach after successfully reviving the Sot River. Using MNREGA funds and community participation, they have identified four additional rivers for restoration: Mahwa, Areel, Vardhaman, and Mahishmati. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Sot River revival during his Mann Ki Baat program, bringing national attention to this local environmental initiative. The project represents a significant step towards preserving and rejuvenating the region's natural water resources.

Key Points: Sambhal's River Revival Model Expands Beyond Sot River

  • Sot River successfully restored through collaborative community effort
  • Four additional rivers targeted for revival
  • MNREGA being used for river restoration
  • Mahishmati River Tirth under study for potential revival
2 min read

Sambhal administration plans to restore more rivers following the Sot river revival

Sambhal district targets four new rivers for restoration using MNREGA, following successful Sot River revival project

"Five rivers have been identified, out of which the Sot river has been revived - Rajendra Pensiya, District Magistrate"

Sambhal, June 9

After the successful revival of the Sot River, the Sambhal district administration has identified four more rivers for restoration under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). These include the Mahwa, Areel, Vardhaman, and Mahishmati rivers.

Speaking to ANI, District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya said that while the Sot River has already been revived, restoration work is currently underway on the Mahwa, Areel, and Vardhaman rivers.

"Five rivers have been identified, out of which the Sot river has been revived. The restoration work of the Mahwa, Areel, and Vardhaman rivers is going on under MNREGA," he said.

He added that the Mahishmati River Tirth, listed among the 87 'Dev Tirth' (sacred river confluences), is being studied for revival.

"The 'Mahishmati River Tirth' is one of the 87 'Dev Tirth'. It is being studied and the same team that revived Lucknow's Kukrail river, has been called in. The path of the river will be identified and verified, and the river will be restored as a perennial river," Pensiya said.

The Sot River, a tributary of the Ganges, had disappeared from the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh due to encroachment and years of neglect. However, the river has been revived thanks to a collaborative effort between the district administration and social workers.

The project to revive the Sot River was started in 2021 by the then Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Sambhal, Sot River Revival: A success story of Janbhagidari in MNREGA from Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

During his Mann ki Baat program in 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the revival process of the Sot River.

Prime Minister Modi mentioned the Sot river in his Mann Ki Baat radio address, which excited the people of the area. The district administration then took up the task of reviving the river with the help of social workers.

Following the success of the Sot River revival, the district administration now aims to replicate the model to restore more rivers and rejuvenate the region's natural water heritage.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is fantastic news! Our rivers are the lifelines of our villages. The Sot river revival shows what can be achieved when administration and local communities work together. Hope they maintain the momentum for other rivers too. 🙏
P
Priya M.
Great initiative but I hope they also focus on preventing future encroachments. What's the point of reviving rivers if people will again build illegally on riverbeds? Strict monitoring is needed.
A
Amit S.
MNREGA being used for such meaningful work is commendable. This is exactly what Gandhiji would have wanted - employment generation while restoring our natural heritage. More districts should follow Sambhal's example!
N
Neha T.
The mention of Mahishmati River as a 'Dev Tirth' is interesting. Our ancestors knew the spiritual importance of water bodies. Hope the restoration maintains the cultural significance while solving water scarcity issues.
V
Vikram J.
While I appreciate the effort, I hope they're also considering the ecological aspects - native fish species, proper plantation along banks, etc. River revival isn't just about water flow but entire ecosystems.
S
Sunita R.
My grandparents used to tell stories about bathing in these rivers as children. So happy to see them being brought back to life! Maybe my grandchildren will have the same privilege. 💧

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