Gwalior Residents Revive Baisali River with Community Effort
Residents of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, have shown incredible determination by successfully restoring a portion of the Baisali River, which had turned into a drain over the past three decades. Their relentless efforts have revived several kilometers of the 13-kilometer-long river.
According to locals, the Baisali River, which flows in Murar, Gwalior, lost its existence three decades ago. It used to extend to the Sindh River after flowing through Gwalior’s Rammua Dam. Over the years, the river turned into a drain due to neglect and encroachment.
A few citizens decided to restore the river with public cooperation. One local said, “We have resolved to restore this river to its old identity. Every day many people come here and contribute to reviving the river. They also plant trees along with the river work. The government is doing its work but we also have a good intention to give it its original form.”
The locals have urged the district administration to remove encroachments around the river. Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan appreciated the initiative, stating, “The width of Murar River (Baisali River) had reduced and it had become a temporary water body. A good initiative has been taken through public cooperation and with the help of the Gwalior Municipal Corporation’s machinery to restore it. Also, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s intention is that all the water sources should be restored through Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan.”
Chauhan added that many people have started planting trees to revive the river, and plant protectors have been installed to save the saplings. She also mentioned that temporary encroachments have been identified and will be removed soon. The project is part of the Namami Gange project, and despite some challenges, public cooperation is making a significant impact.
Doubts Revealed
Gwalior -: Gwalior is a city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is known for its historical palaces and temples.
Madhya Pradesh -: Madhya Pradesh is a large state in central India. It is known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty.
Baisali River -: The Baisali River is a small river in Gwalior, which had become very dirty and was almost like a drain.
Collector -: A Collector is a government official in charge of a district. In this case, Ruchika Chauhan is the Collector of Gwalior.
Ruchika Chauhan -: Ruchika Chauhan is the name of the government official who is the Collector of Gwalior. She praised the community’s efforts to clean the river.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state. Mohan Yadav is the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan -: Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan is a campaign started by the government to save and manage water resources. ‘Jal’ means water in Hindi.
Encroachments -: Encroachments are illegal buildings or structures that take up space where they shouldn’t be. Removing them helps restore the river.
