Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh — In a major step toward restoring Uttar Pradesh‘s vanishing water bodies, the state government has initiated the revival of the Budhi Rapti river in Shravasti district. The project, launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is part of a broader campaign to rejuvenate more than 100 extinct or dying rivers across the state.
Mapping the River’s Natural Course
To lay the groundwork for restoration, the alignment of the Budhi Rapti river was mapped using remote sensing technology. This technical assessment enabled planners to identify silt-choked sections and plan targeted interventions to revive the river’s natural flow.
Desilting and Restoration Underway
The 67.03-kilometre-long Budhi Rapti, with a catchment area of 18,356.64 hectares, currently has 16.91 km obstructed by silt and blockages. The remaining 51.12 km continues to flow naturally.
Officials say that desilting and flow restoration work will intensify after the monsoon, with the goal of reviving the entire river by next year.
Mass Participation and MGNREGA Employment
The revival effort is being carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Local communities are actively involved in the work, turning the initiative into a people-powered movement for environmental conservation. To mark the formal start of the initiative, District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi (IAS, 2015 batch, UP cadre) and Chief Development Officer Shahid Ahmad (IAS, 2021 batch, UP cadre) performed a symbolic soil-digging ceremony.
Major Boost for Farmers and Villages
The Budhi Rapti revival is expected to directly benefit farmers in 54 villages, improving irrigation facilities and enhancing agricultural productivity. According to surveys, there have been no major deviations from the river’s original course, making the revival technically feasible.
Read Also: Kanpur’s Noon River Bounces Back Under IAS Duo’s Leadership, CM Yogi Applauds Rejuvenation Effort
Ecological and Strategic Significance
The Budhi Rapti eventually merges with the main Rapti river, a critical waterway in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Reviving its flow will contribute to groundwater recharge, soil fertility, and flood management.
This project is being hailed as a model for river rejuvenation under the Yogi government’s ambitious environmental and rural development agenda.
