**Summary:**
The Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is advancing urban river management through the River Cities Alliance (RCA). Launched in November 2022, the RCA aims to strengthen institutional capacity, promote intercity collaboration within river basins, and support the creation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs). The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an action plan for the RCA in 2025, which includes capacity building programs, knowledge platforms, the development of technical tools, expert guidance, and thematic case studies focused on integrating river-sensitive urban planning.
A key component of the plan is promoting river considerations within city master plans through River Sensitive Master Planning training programs across various states. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, in association with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, has conducted ecological assessments of the Ganga River and its tributaries (Yamuna, Ghaghra, Ramganga, Kosi, Gandak, Chambal, Sone, Gomti, Damodar, Rupnarayan, and Ajay) with funding from NMCG, and seven other Indian rivers (Barak, Narmada, Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery, Periyar, and Pamba) under a project funded by the National River Conservation Directorate.
An information dashboard, www.rivres.in, has been developed by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, to disseminate information on the biodiversity profiles of rivers, identified pollution hotspots, and conservation efforts, including community engagement, capacity development, rescue and rehabilitation, and conservation education across the Ganga River basin and other studied rivers.
The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board conducts regular inspections to prevent illegal waste dumping near water bodies and enforces penalties based on the Polluter Pays principle. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has also established district-level committees to monitor and prevent illegal dumping of debris and garbage from road construction activities, including along river banks.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
National River Conservation Directorate: An organization funding river conservation projects.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: A ministry of the Government of India focused on water resources.
River Cities Alliance RCA: An initiative launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to promote urban river management.
National Mission for Clean Ganga NMCG: An initiative focused on cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga River.
Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun: An institution involved in ecological assessments and information dissemination related to river biodiversity.
Ganga River: A major river in India, the focus of significant conservation efforts.
Himachal Pradesh: A state in India implementing measures to prevent illegal dumping of waste near water bodies.
Yamuna: A tributary of the Ganga River.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
RIVER CONSERVATION BIODIVERSITY AND
RESTORATION
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi
The River Cities Alliance (RCA), a pioneering initiative launched by Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs in November, 2022, promotes a comprehensive approach to urban river
management, strengthens institutional capacity, fosters inter-city collaboration within river basins and supports
creation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs).
In a significant step towards sustainable urban river rejuvenation, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
has approved an action plan for RCA for the year 2025, charting out a vibrant and action-oriented roadmap of
initiatives to be undertaken across the year. The plan encompasses a series of capacity building programs,
knowledge platforms, development of technical tools, expert guidance and thematic case studies, all focused
on integrating river sensitive urban planning within India’s growing cities. The major thrust of the plan is to
promote river considerations within city master plans by organizing River Sensitive Master Planning training
programs across different States.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti in association with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun has carried out
ecological assessment of Ganga River and its tributaries (Yamuna, Ghaghra, Ramganga, Kosi, Gandak,
Chambal, Sone, Gomti, Damodar, Rupnarayan and Ajay) with funding from NMCG, and seven other Indian
rivers, namely Barak, Narmada, Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery, Periyar, and Pamba under the project funded
by National River Conservation Directorate.
In order to highlight freshwater biodiversity conservation efforts, an information dashboard (www.rivres.in)
has been developed by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun to disseminate information in respect of
biodiversity profile of rivers and identified pollution hotspots. It also provides information on conservation
efforts in terms of community engagement, capacity development, rescue and rehabilitation and conservation
education carried out across Ganga River basin and other studied rivers.
Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board conducts regular inspections to check illegal dumping of
wastes near or into water bodies and penalties are imposed in accordance with the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle.
The Government of Himachal Pradesh has constituted a committee in each district for monitoring and
preventing illegal dumping of debris and garbage from road construction activities across the State including
river banks.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN
CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
MAM/SMP
(Rajya Sabha US Q894)
(Release ID: 2149300)