Districts directed to prepare comprehensive action plans for catchment restoration, water harvesting and eco-tourism under High Court guidelines
TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 15,2026: The Chhattisgarh government has intensified its focus on river conservation and restoration, with Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel directing district administrations to prepare comprehensive plans for rejuvenating major rivers while promoting public participation, environmental protection and sustainable development.
Chairing a meeting of the state-level committee constituted under the directions of the Chhattisgarh High Court, the Chief Secretary reviewed ongoing river restoration initiatives across the state and assessed progress made by various districts in protecting and revitalising water bodies.
Emphasising that river conservation is closely linked to public health and ecological sustainability, Sheel instructed District Collectors to undertake restoration work in accordance with the High Court’s guidelines and ensure that projects in river catchment areas address the long-term needs of local communities.
He stressed the importance of involving village panchayats, elected representatives and local residents in conservation activities and called for greater public awareness about the historical and cultural significance of rivers. The Chief Secretary also suggested maintaining records on the origins and history of rivers, organising educational visits for school students to river source locations and conducting competitions, fairs and cultural events to encourage interest in water conservation.
During the meeting, Collectors from Raigarh, Korba, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Surguja, Koriya, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Gariaband and Dhamtari presented updates on the condition of rivers in their districts and outlined ongoing and proposed rejuvenation projects. Discussions also covered the functioning of district-level committees dedicated to river conservation.
The Chief Secretary directed officials to formulate integrated action plans by leveraging resources available under schemes and funding sources such as CAMPA, MGNREGA, DMF and other government programmes. These plans are expected to include afforestation, water harvesting, groundwater recharge measures and the construction of water conservation structures within river catchment areas.
He also called for the development of eco-tourism initiatives around significant river sites while ordering strict monitoring to prevent the dumping of waste into rivers and protect water quality.
Technical sessions during the meeting featured presentations by Professor Dr. M.K. Verma on river water conservation and by hydrologist and NIT professor Shri Ishtiyaq Ahmed, who joined via video conference to provide expert insights on hydrology and environmental management.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Water Resources Secretary Shri Rajesh Sukumar Toppo and Urban Administration and Development Secretary Ms. R. Sangeetha, along with representatives from the Finance, Panchayat and Rural Development, Forest and Climate Change, Mineral Resources departments, the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board and the Central Ground Water Board.
