After High Court’s Stern Rap on River Pollution, Chhattisgarh Unveils Scientific Revival Plan
The Chhattisgarh Government has informed the High Court that it has launched a comprehensive, science-based programme to restore and protect the State’s rivers following sharp judicial criticism over widespread river pollution. In an affidavit submitted before the High Court, the State detailed a series of corrective measures aimed at preventing industrial contamination, reviving river ecosystems, and strengthening environmental monitoring. The action comes nearly two months after the High Court expressed serious concern over reports of untreated industrial discharge, blackened river water, and large-scale fish deaths in the Shivnath and Kharun rivers.
Among the most significant initiatives is the geo-tagging of river origin points across the State. The government informed the Court that the sources of rivers have been digitally mapped and integrated with the PM Gati Shakti platform as part of a statewide river restoration programme. Officials stated that this digital mapping will help monitor river ecosystems more effectively and ensure better planning for conservation efforts.
The State has also prepared, or is in the process of finalising, district-wise River Revival Plans for major rivers. These plans are being developed with technical support from premier institutions, including IIT Roorkee, NIT Raipur, and Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University (CSVTU), Bhilai. The proposed strategies include catchment area treatment, riverbank protection, desiltation, afforestation, groundwater recharge, and continuous monitoring of water quality to ensure scientifically sustainable river rejuvenation.
To strengthen public participation, the government has announced a State-Level Source Festival (Rajya Stariya Shrot Mahotsav) and a State-Level Workshop, scheduled for the last week of July. The events are expected to bring together government officials, technical experts, academic institutions, local bodies, environmental organisations, NGOs, and community representatives. Recommendations emerging from these consultations will be incorporated into the ongoing River Rejuvenation Plans to improve implementation and long-term conservation.
The affidavit further disclosed that the Chief Secretary convened a high-level meeting on 15 June, directing all district collectors to undertake only scientifically validated river conservation works in consultation with expert institutions. The directions include submitting geo-tagged photographs of river origin points, implementing desiltation policies, strengthening riverbank protection, carrying out flood-control works under available government schemes, and establishing scientific monitoring systems for river discharge, groundwater levels, and water quality.
The government also provided river-specific updates. For the Hasdeo River in the Koriya and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur districts, authorities informed the Court that the river’s origin has been identified and geo-tagged, while a comprehensive revival plan is being prepared. The proposal includes ecological restoration, groundwater and water-quality monitoring, plantation drives, riverbank stabilisation, and environmentally sustainable tourism facilities such as homestays, considering the religious significance of the river’s source.
After examining the affidavit, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal observed that the State had prima facie demonstrated substantial compliance with many of the Court’s earlier directions. However, the Bench noted that the affidavit did not address its 2020 order regarding the removal of encroachments around the origin of the Arpa River. Consequently, the Court directed the Chief Secretary to file a separate affidavit explaining the steps taken on that issue before the next hearing.
The proceedings have become an important environmental accountability exercise in Chhattisgarh. The High Court’s continued monitoring is expected to ensure that the State’s commitments translate into measurable improvements in river health, pollution control, and ecological conservation. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on 11 August, when the Court will review further compliance by the State Government and assess the progress of the river restoration programme.
