River revival needs experts: HC directs CG govt to expand panel

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh high court, while reviewing the state's river conservation measures, underscored that expert-driven oversight is crucial for effective revival of river origin points, directing the govt to expand the state-level committee by inducting specialists such as ecologists, hydrologists, geologists, and pollution control experts to scientifically assess and monitor restoration efforts.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal on Monday ordered the inclusion of an ecologist, a geologist, a hydrologist, and representatives from the Pollution Control Board and the Central Ground Water Survey Board to ensure scientific monitoring of the projects.The directions came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Arvind Kumar Shukla and others regarding the conservation of the Arpa and other major rivers in the state. In compliance with previous court orders, the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary filed a personal affidavit on Monday, detailing the measures initiated for the identification and protection of river origin points.The state govt informed the court that a state-level committee was constituted on Feb 20, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. This committee includes secretaries from the departments of Finance, Panchayat and Rural Development, Water Resources, Forest and Climate Change, Urban Administration, and Mineral Resources. Dr M K Verma, former Vice Chancellor of Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, is currently the sole expert member.The committee is tasked with monitoring district-level panels headed by respective Collectors. These panels focus on reviving major rivers, including the Mahanadi, Shivnath, Hasdeo, Arpa, Tandula, Pairi, Mand, Kelo, Son, Tipan, and Leelagar.The Chief Secretary's affidavit stated that a review meeting held on March 11, 2026, confirmed that origin points of these rivers have been identified. Collectors have been instructed to demarcate origin points and install public displays within 15 days, submit geo-tagged photographs and land records for official designation of these sites, and prepare detailed project reports for the development of these points as sites of ecological and tourism significance.The state govt has resolved to seek technical advice from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for scientific planning. Funding for these conservation activities will be mobilised through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission, and grants from the 15th Finance Commission. The plan also includes mandatory treatment of sewage and industrial waste before discharge into river bodies.While acknowledging the state's efforts, the petitioners argued that more experts were needed to assess the effectiveness of these measures. Agreeing with this contention, the HC directed the Chief Secretary to file a fresh affidavit by May 7, 2026, regarding the inclusion of the additional experts in the committee.