UP launches river revival scheme to rejuvenate 50 rivers, restore ecology
Under this new campaign, authorities have identified rivers in all 75 districts that were either dry or at risk due to pollution or encroachment. The government has undertaken efforts to revive these water bodies using sustainable and scientific methods.To improve water quality, the administration is treating sewage and industrial waste before releasing it into rivers. Urban sewage is being redirected to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and biological techniques are being used to enhance water purity.Additionally, measures like the construction of check dams, desilting, riverbank strengthening, and rainwater harvesting have been adopted to sustain river flow.These efforts have begun to yield results. So far, 50 rivers have been rejuvenated across a total stretch of 3,363 kilometres. This revival has provided new life to rural areas and improved irrigation access for farmers. As part of the initiative, the government is also reviving small rivers and water bodies in 1,011 Ganga gram panchayats.To boost water storage in rural regions, the state has constructed and reinforced 3,388 ponds. These ponds now serve as reliable water sources for agriculture, livestock, and domestic needs.The Forest Department, in collaboration with district Ganga committees, is planting trees on a massive scale along riverbanks. More than 2.14 crore trees have been planted along the banks of 82 rivers in the state, contributing to ecological restoration and flood management.Advanced technology is also playing a crucial role in the revival drive. Institutions such as IIT Kanpur, IIT BHU, BBAAU Lucknow, and IIT Roorkee are providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure the success of the program.To monitor progress, the government has formed committees in each administrative division, headed by the respective divisional commissioner. These committees regularly review revival plans to ensure timely and quality implementation.Among the rivers currently being revived are the Noon River in Kanpur, the Kukrail River in Lucknow, the Tilodki River in Ayodhya, the Pili River in Jaunpur, and the Belan River in Sonbhadra.- EndsMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Uttar Pradesh
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
As govt. gears up to revive Buddhist history in Rajaghatta near Bengaluru, villagers stand divided
'During the first excavation, if we found one brick which we felt was historically significant, we gave it to the researchers. We used to get 10 paise for it,' a farmer working in a field in Rajaghatta, a village in Doddaballapur taluk, in Bengaluru Rural district, recalled. Rajaghatta, which was an ancient settlement of Buddhists probably around the fourth and fifth centuries, is getting ready once again for excavation. On July 16, Tourism Minister H.K. Patil, along with the officials of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, inaugurated the excavation programme to find more relics and artefacts from the ancient period. Boodi gundi Before it caught the eye of some local researchers as well as M.S. Krishnamurthy, formal principal of University of Mysore, a certain area of Rajaghatta has heaps of ashes, earning it the name of 'Boodi Gundi' (pit of ashes) from the locals. However, between 2001 and 2004, led by Mr. Krishnamurthy, excavators discovered that Rajaghatta was one of South Karnataka's prominent centres of Buddhism during the fourth and fifth centuries. Mr. Krishnamurthy said that the foundation of a Buddhist Chaityalaya, formed entirely of bricks, rooms of a Vihaara, a small medallion with an engraving of Buddha, several clay tablets, stupas and much more were found during the initial excavation. Many artifacts that were discovered here are now being kept in the museum of the University of Mysore. Upon the requests of Maha Bodhi Society (MBS), Buddhist Charitable Organization, the State government has once again taken up the excavation with Mr. Krishnamurthy at the helm again. Work is expected to begin post-monsoon. 'While we formally inaugurated the excavation, we will carry it out once monsoon is over as rains slow down the process. The preparation has already begun in a couple of sites and as there were good findings earlier, we want to see what else comes up this time,' Mr. Patil told The Hindu. Villagers divided Krishnappa, who currently owns the land under which the remnants of the Chaityalaya was found, has agreed to give it for excavation. But not all villagers are onboard as the areas where the ancient structures were found are now agricultural lands. Rajaghatta Ravi, a resident of the village who is also working with historians, says, 'Many villagers are not aware of the history. Many of them found artifacts over the years in their fields and just kept it under wraps as they did not want to give up lands. Some of us believe that when there is such a rich history, dating back almost 2,000 years, we should not let it go. That is why we are pulling all stops to ensure Rajaghatta gets is due.' A little behind Krishnappa's land is another agricultural field where an engraved stone, which is supposed to be from a later period of history (probably of Ganga period) is situated. Parijatha, whose family owns the land, says that there is no way they will give up their land for excavation. She said, 'When they cleared the ashes the first time, they checked this stone and said that this is not from the Buddhist settlement period.' Further down is another field filled with cabbage plants where two samadhis (final resting place) of some Buddhist monks are situated. Future plans Once the excavation process is completed, the plan is to make Rajaghatta a tourist site and exhibit its ancient Buddhist history to the public. 'We would like to convince the villagers to make way for excavation in these lands. If they do not agree, then acquisition is inevitable and we would either have to give them land parcels elsewhere or monetary compensation,' Mr. Patil said. 'Rajaghatta is so close to Bengaluru and even to the Bengaluru International Airport. We want the public to know how this was a prominent Buddhist centre once,' said Gopalakrishna, a member of the MBS. 'We want to bring the artifcats that are being kept in University of Mysore here once the excavation is completed and showcase it all together.' Meanwhile, to encourage more villagers to come forth with information, the police have started the Mane Manege Police (door-to-door police service) initiative in Rajaghatta. 'While people might not usually know how to report their findings or even about possible encroachment in some of these historic sites, we hope that this programme will bring them the confidence to tell us,' said Sadiq Pasha, police inspector, Doddaballapur Rural Police Station.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
PCB's ‘power' move to hit old flats without sewage treatment plants
KOCHI: The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has initiated stringent measures, including notice to disconnect power supply, to 71 old residential flats in Kochi for failing to set up Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) on their premises. The move, especially, the issuance of power disconnection notice from KSEB, which acted on the direction of KSPCB, comes nearly a month after it issued closure notices to the flat owners, triggering panic among the residents. Earlier on June 23, the Kerala High Court issued detailed directions to the KSPCB and the Kochi Corporation to issue notices to entities responsible for polluting the Thevara-Perandoor Canal in the city. The directions were passed in a suo motu proceedings initiated by the High Court in 2022. 'With reference to the direction issued by the KSPCB under Section 33 A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, this is to inform you that KSEB Ltd has been instructed to disconnect the electricity supply ... to non-compliance with statutory requirements,' read the notice dated July 30 received by the secretary of an Edappally-based flat complex. 'The associations have been trying hard to comply with the legal requirements, ie, setting up of STPs. However, what we request is to allocate us more time, say five months. Also, most of them do not have any free land available. They have to demolish other existing structures to make space available for the construction of STP. The closure notices were sent to the flats constructed before 2010, when the mandatory norms regarding STPs were not in force,' Abraham Joseph, chairman, Consortium of Flat & Villa Owners Association (Kerala), told TNIE.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Mandya district panchayat reduces new borewell drilling, improves water management
Mandya: In a significant shift towards sustainable water management, the Mandya district panchayat has considerably reduced the drilling of new borewells for drinking water in rural areas, said district panchayat CEO KR Nandini. Presiding over a water and sanitation committee meeting held at the district panchayat auditorium, she stated that a comprehensive list of all govt and private borewells, along with their water yield data, was compiled for each village. In the event of a water shortage, private borewells will be hired instead of immediately resorting to new drilling. Any proposal for new borewells will now be approved only after a detailed yield verification and site inspection. Nandini highlighted that with surveys already conducted to assess existing borewells and their capacity, the necessity for additional drilling has substantially declined. She also stressed the importance of proper infrastructure planning under the multi-village drinking water scheme and Jal Jeevan Mission, noting that all drinking water pipelines must be laid at least one foot away from underground drainage lines to avoid contamination. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Unused water tanks—whether overhead or ground-level—should be decommissioned, and functional ones must be cleaned regularly, she said. To ensure this, taluk-level awareness programmes will be organised for water supply staff/watermen. Addressing water pollution concerns, Nandini directed that grey water, sewage, and other waste should not be allowed to flow into lakes or ponds. Officials were instructed to survey and identify such issues and take remedial measures to prevent contamination of water bodies. Regarding purified drinking water units, she noted that many were previously maintained by private contractors. With some maintenance contracts having expired, the panchayat now plans to repair and transfer the units to local gram panchayats for upkeep. Out of 680 such units in the district, 290 were already handed over.
