UP: Noon, Pili revived under ‘1 district-1 river' programme
According to the government, both the rivers were buried beneath encroachments and layers of silt, and are now flowing again as live streams.
Once a lifeline for Bilhaur, Shivrajpur and Chobepur, Noon in Kanpur, was selected for revival as a model project under the One District – One River initiative.
Kanpur Nagar's Chief Development Officer, Diksha Jain, said the Noon river was mapped using aerial drone surveys and satellite imagery.
She said, 'The survey revealed that the river was heavily encroached in several areas, choked with water hyacinth, and filled with silt. In February, a formal river revival campaign was launched. Most of the work, such as desilting and cleaning, was carried out under MGNREGA, ensuring both environmental restoration and employment generation. 'Industrial effluents from nearby factories were stopped by issuing strict notices, and private companies as well as local industries came forward to support the initiative. The results have been truly encouraging—a river once written off has now regained a substantial flow,' said Jain.
Instead of using machines, the work was carried out manually by over 6,000 workers from 58 Gram Panchayats, covering 23 km of the river,' an official said, adding the approach preserved the ecological sensitivity of the project and also generated employment, creating over 23,000 man-days and utilising a budget of Rs 57 lakh.
In similar efforts, Pili Nadi, a tributary of the Gomti river in Jaunpur district, has also been revived. Saplings have been planted along its banks to maintain ecological balance and provide long-term benefits to farmers by enhancing soil fertility and water availability.
Jaunpur District Magistrate Dr Dinesh Chandra Singh said that under the One District, One River initiative, the restoration of Pili Nadi has emerged as a model public movement.
The 61.2 km-long river, with 43 km flowing through Jaunpur, originates from Dehuna village in Badlapur tehsil and meanders through villages such as Bhalua, Khanpur, Bahur, Sirikna, and Rampur before merging into the Gomti River near Belwan.
'From a cultural perspective, Pili Nadi holds a deep connection with Jaunpur's identity. As part of the revival campaign held from June 11 to July 2, a 25-km stretch of the river was rejuvenated through community participation and awareness. A key highlight of the campaign was the restoration of the ancient Shiva temple in Deoria village, located on the river's banks. This renovation is timed ahead of the auspicious month of Sawan,' said Jaunpur DM.
In line with CM Adityanath's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign', 11,000 saplings have already been planted along both sides of the river, with a target of 51,000 to be completed by August 15.
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