‘Srot Mahotsav 2026’ focuses on scientific mapping, conservation and groundwater recharge; MoUs signed with National Water Academy and Antrix Corporation
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 19, 2026: Emphasising the vital link between rivers, water security and human life, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday said, “If rivers are saved, water is saved; if water is saved, life is saved.” He called for collective efforts to protect the state’s river origins and catchment areas through scientific planning, modern technology, traditional knowledge and active public participation.
The Chief Minister was addressing the state-level ‘Srot Mahotsav 2026’ and workshop organised at Omaya Garden in Raipur. The event focused on identifying and conserving river sources and catchment areas, promoting rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, and developing a time-bound roadmap for river rejuvenation.
Sai said Chhattisgarh’s geographical, economic and cultural identity is closely linked to its rivers. Rivers such as the Mahanadi have supported agriculture, livelihoods and social development, while also contributing to the state’s identity as the “Rice Bowl” of the country.
He stressed that river conservation cannot be confined to the river channel alone and must encompass the entire ecosystem, beginning from the source and extending across the catchment area.
Five-pillar strategy for river conservation
The Chief Minister said the state’s river conservation campaign would be based on five key pillars—mapping, conservation, groundwater recharge, public participation and action planning.
Under the initiative, rivers and their catchment areas will be scientifically mapped to study their origins, flow patterns, land-use changes and factors affecting natural water flow.
Based on these studies, comprehensive conservation plans will be prepared, covering forest and vegetation protection, prevention of soil erosion, restoration of traditional water bodies, creation of new water-harvesting structures and groundwater recharge.
Sai underlined that rainwater is the foundation of both rivers and groundwater and called for measures to reduce surface runoff and facilitate greater groundwater recharge.
Local communities to play key role
The Chief Minister said government efforts alone cannot ensure long-term water security and called for making river conservation a people’s movement.
He directed district-level committees to constitute local committees in villages situated along rivers and work with Panchayats and local communities on river rejuvenation and conservation.
He also urged experts to explain scientific aspects of water conservation in simple language so that local communities can understand and adopt them.
“Rivers have sustained human civilisation for generations. Protecting them and their sources for future generations is our collective responsibility,” Sai said, expressing confidence that the ‘Srot Mahotsav’ would help establish an effective roadmap for water security in Chhattisgarh.
MoUs to strengthen water conservation efforts
Two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event to strengthen the state’s institutional and technological capabilities in water conservation.
The MoU with the National Water Academy, Pune, will facilitate training and capacity building for officials and field personnel involved in water management and conservation. It will also help disseminate modern water-management practices and technologies at the grassroots level.
An MoU with Antrix Corporation, Bengaluru, will facilitate the use of advanced geospatial technology and ISRO expertise for scientific monitoring and analysis of water resources.
In the first phase, water resources covering approximately 1,540 square kilometres in Kunkuri tehsil will be studied and monitored using modern geospatial technology.
The Chief Minister said combining technology-driven data with local experience and traditional knowledge would enable the government to formulate region-specific and more effective conservation strategies.
‘Neer-Nari-Nidhi’ book released
Sai also released the book ‘Neer-Nari-Nidhi’ (Water-Woman-Resource), which focuses on water conservation, women’s participation and sustainable management of water resources. The publication documents experiences, initiatives and innovations related to water management and conservation.
Experts call for source-focused conservation
Dr Vinod Tare, founder of cGanga and professor at IIT Kanpur, said identifying and protecting river origins and the water sources that feed them is essential for long-term water security.
He stressed the need to control rapid rainwater runoff and increase groundwater recharge. According to him, combining traditional knowledge and local experience with modern science and technology can provide a sustainable foundation for water conservation.
Water Resources Department Secretary Rajesh Sukumar Toppo said the objective of ‘Srot Mahotsav 2026’ is to develop a scientific, practical and time-bound action plan for conserving river sources and catchment areas.
He said studying only downstream river flows was insufficient and that the entire ecosystem—including source areas, land use, soil moisture, groundwater recharge, vegetation and soil erosion—needed to be assessed.
Nine river groups to be studied
Toppo said discussions at the workshop were organised around nine river groups, with site-specific and science-based solutions being developed according to the requirements of each region.
The focus, he said, would be on identifying problems, determining solutions, assigning responsibilities and fixing timelines for implementation and evaluation.
The workshop brought together water-conservation experts, representatives of the Namami Gange Mission, NIT Raipur faculty members, state and district-level committee members, District Collectors and officials, along with specialists working in river and water conservation.
