In recent years, the state of Uttar Pradesh has launched a series of innovative environmental and developmental programs to promote sustainable growth and ecological balance. Among these, the “One District, One River” initiative stands out as a powerful step toward reviving the state’s rich but neglected water heritage. The One District, One River project aims to rejuvenate at least one river in each of the 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. This mission is not only about water conservation but also about reviving lost ecosystems, recharging groundwater, enhancing biodiversity, and improving the quality of life for local communities.
Uttar Pradesh, blessed with a network of rivers, both big and small, has long depended on these water bodies for agriculture, drinking water, livelihoods, and cultural practices. However, due to urbanization, encroachment, deforestation, pollution, and unregulated exploitation of water resources, many small rivers either dried up or turned into seasonal drains.
One District, One River
UP Govt has taken an ambitious target to revive and rejuvenate at least one river in each district.
Many lost rivers have been revived in recent years:
1. Malin River in Bijnor
2. Chhoti Gandak in Deoria
3. Matuka River in Varanasi pic.twitter.com/TsObFdW4sG— The Uttar Pradesh Index (@theupindex) June 6, 2025
The “One District, One River” initiative, launched by the Uttar Pradesh government, seeks to reverse this trend. The objective is simple yet transformative: identify and restore at least one neglected or dying river in each district through a collaborative model involving district administrations, local communities, NGOs, and environmental experts. This decentralised and district-specific approach ensures focused efforts based on the unique geographical and hydrological conditions of each area.
First, it focuses on cleaning rivers by removing silt, garbage, and blockages to help water flow naturally again. It also promotes planting trees and greenery along the riverbanks to stop soil erosion and bring back birds, animals, and plants that depend on rivers. Another major goal is to use rainwater harvesting and manage watersheds so that rivers have water even in dry seasons. Local people are encouraged to take part in the initiative, helping with cleaning and protecting the rivers.
Several rivers, once on the brink of extinction, have already been successfully revived under this program or similar river rejuvenation efforts.
Malin River – Bijnor District
The Malin River, once a clean and perennial river in Bijnor, had shrunk over the years due to rampant encroachments, pollution, and deforestation in its catchment areas. Through focused efforts under the One District, One River campaign, the district administration, in coordination with local panchayats and environmental groups, undertook extensive cleaning, desilting, and afforestation activities.
Natural water flow was restored using check dams and rainwater harvesting structures. It has helped recharge groundwater in nearby areas, and has become a source of joy for villagers who once considered it dead.
Chhoti Gandak – Deoria District
The Chhoti Gandak is a tributary of the Ghaghara River, and it flows through several eastern districts of UP including Deoria. Over decades, the river had degraded due to siltation, garbage dumping, and unregulated farming along its banks.
Under the government’s revival efforts, the district administration, along with irrigation and environment departments, launched a multi-phase rejuvenation plan. It included the removal of illegal encroachments, riverbed cleaning, building of check dams, and introducing community-led monitoring.
Matuka River – Varanasi District
Once a significant contributor to the region’s ecosystem, it had lost both ecological and cultural importance. However, as part of the One District, One River initiative, Varanasi district officials undertook its rejuvenation with the help of the National Clean Ganga Mission and other allied programmes.
The restoration included cleaning the river channel, treating wastewater at the source, banning waste dumping, and promoting tree plantation along the banks. With persistent efforts, the Matuka River is now visibly cleaner and healthier, setting an example for river revival even in densely populated and urban districts.
The One District, One River project follows a decentralised model, with each district selecting a river of environmental, cultural, or economic importance. A detailed survey is done first to study the river’s condition, including water flow, pollution levels, and surrounding areas. Based on this study, a special plan is made for each river. This plan includes cleaning the river, building necessary structures, planting trees, and reducing pollution. People from local communities are involved at every step. The work is done in stages, with regular checks to make sure the river stays healthy in the long run.
One of the most remarkable features of this initiative is the active involvement of the local community. Gram panchayats, schools, farmer groups, and local NGOs are not only involved in the physical restoration activities but also in spreading awareness about water conservation. Village-level monitoring committees are formed to prevent future encroachments or pollution of the rivers.
The public-private partnership model is also being encouraged for funding and implementation, particularly in urban or semi-urban river stretches.
The “One District, One River” campaign is aligned with several other central and state-level initiatives:
- Namami Gange Mission – for Ganga and its tributaries
- Atal Bhujal Yojana – for groundwater recharge
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan – for rainwater harvesting and watershed management
- Mission Amrit Sarovar – for restoring ponds and traditional water bodies
- Under the ODOP (One District One Product) and Ecotourism policies, rivers are being linked with the local economy and tourism
From the hills of Bijnor to the plains of Deoria and the ghats of Varanasi, the sound of flowing water once again brings hope. The initiative proves that with vision, community participation, and consistent effort, even the most neglected rivers can be reborn, one district, one river at a time.
