TOI River Dialogues 2025: ‘Involving the younger generation is essential’, says IAS Anurag Srivastava on river rejuvenation

NEW DELHI: The TOI River Dialogues 2025, held on April 28 in Lucknow, brought together policymakers, innovators, and community leaders to discuss the future of rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Gomti, which have shaped the region’s history, culture, and economy for centuries.
Speaking at the event, Anurag Srivastava, IAS, additional chief secretary, department of Namami Gange and rural water supply, government of Uttar Pradesh, outlined key strategies for ensuring river health and resilience.
Srivastava stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and dynamic policy framework to meet the evolving challenges in river rejuvenation. "The increasing dynamism in environmental and urban pressures demands a flexible but firm response," he said, adding that microanalysis and technological innovations are critical. "We are using drones and focusing on total sewerage tapping to cut pollution at the source," he pointed out.

He emphasised that groundwater and river water systems must be treated as complementary, especially in light of emerging challenges like groundwater depletion in the west and south Yamuna regions.
Srivastava highlighted the importance of bringing major stakeholders, including NGOs, local communities, and businesses, into the conservation effort. He advocated for decentralised systems supported by communities, calling them "vital for lasting impact."
In a move to build public ownership, he mentioned the success of River Literacy Program that educates and involve the youth. "Involving the younger generation is essential because they are the future custodians of our rivers," he remarked.
Touching on broader social impacts, he pointed to initiatives like ‘Har Ghar Nal’, which have improved access to drinking water, thereby enhancing quality of life and supporting female education across rural Uttar Pradesh.
Srivastava also discussed the ongoing efforts in pond rejuvenation, including the Amrit Sarovar Yojana. He acknowledged that while progress would take time, these initiatives would create long-lasting ecological and social benefits, even though a comprehensive database of restored water bodies is still under development.
On the economic dimension of river rejuvenation, he said, "We must at least begin by recognising it as a pressing need of the hour and align planning accordingly."
He also addressed the use of chemical-based cleaning technologies, cautioning that "solutions are not binary," and stressed that policy must balance society’s needs with available technologies.
Srivastava also underlined the critical role of individual responsibility in river conservation, calling it "absolutely essential" for ensuring meaningful and sustainable outcomes.