New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Scientists, hydrologists, educators and policymakers discussed long-term strategies to restore the Yamuna river, including a proposed "lake river" model, at a conference held in the national capital on Friday.
The event, titled Yamuna Manthan 2025, was organised by the MAS Council for Water and River (MCWR). One of the key proposals was to view the Yamuna as a 'lake river,' or in simple terms, treating segments of the Yamuna as water-holding reservoirs aimed at improving monsoon water storage, groundwater recharge, and maintaining ecological flow.
"Yamuna's water tables, flood plains, storage, and draining mechanisms have been impacted over at least the past 150 years. Her dis-membered flow paths, channels for water sharing and consequent diversion have impacted changes," said Maneesh Prasad, founder and director of MCWR.
He also noted that large-scale engineering interventions for improving the state of the river may not be enough to restore the water body to its pristine past.
"A lake outlook is therefore critical to store and save water and trigger channel rejuvenation; supported by re-purposing soils and extracted earth for alternative use," he added.
In an official statement, MCWR said the model marked a shift from traditional flow-based river management to a more integrated approach linking river health with urban water sustainability.
The conference, held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi, also featured the release of a publication on B R Ambedkar's contributions to water policy in India, including his role in promoting equitable water distribution and large-scale river development projects.
Speakers noted that while the Yamuna flows through Delhi for only about 2 per cent of its total length, the city contributes nearly 80 per cent of the river's pollution.
Dr. Chandra Bhushan, President and CEO of iFOREST, said, "Whether we like to hear it or not, we are an ethnocentric species. We need to find ways that would cater to our needs as well as protect the environment."
"There has been no proper water and waste audit in the city, and also, the government, in its plans for Yamuna, must set up specific objectives and goals and set up timelines to achieve those goals," he added.
Shashank Shekhar, a Delhi University professor, said, "Restoring the Yamuna’s natural floodplain is critical. A river cannot survive if its physical space is lost."
River space is extremely important, he said, adding that the river needs space to be "alive". Yamuna used to have its floodplain from Ghazipur to the Red Fort, but now it has been encroached upon, he added.
The conference concluded with discussions on the Delhi Government-proposed Maa Yamuna Swachhta Abhiyan, a school-based initiative to increase children's sensitivity towards the need to revive the holy river.