MP: Gwalior residents take initiative to revive Baisali River

Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 31 (ANI): Residents of Gwalior have given an exemplary display of willpower, as they have been able to successfully restore a portion of the Baisali River, which had turned into a drain.
With their relentless effort, the residents have successfully restored a few kilometres of the total 13-kilometre-long river.

According to the locals, the Baisali River, which flows in Murar, Gwalior lost its existence three decades ago.
At one time, the river used to extend to the Sindh River after flowing through the Gwalior's Rammua Dam. For many years, the existence of this Vaisali river was on the verge of extinction as it was turned into a drain.
The locals claim no attention was paid to the river for long and gradually encroachment started happening around the river, which further worsened the situation.
But, a few citizens decided to restore the 13-kilometer-long Baisali River, with public cooperation.

"We have resolved to restore this river to its old identity. Every day many people come here and contribute to reviving the river. They also plant trees along with the river work. The government is doing its work but we also have a good intention to give it its original form," a local said.
The locals have also urged the district administration that there were encroachments around the river and that it should be removed immediately.

Meanwhile, Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan appreciated the initiative to restore the river.
Speaking to ANI, Chauhan said, "The width of Murar River (Vaisali River) had reduced and it had become a temporary water body. A good initiative has been taken through public cooperation and with the help of the Gwalior Municipal Corporation's machinery to restore it. Also, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's intention is that all the water sources should be restored through Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan."
She further said that many people have also started planting trees with the aim of reviving the river. The collector added that plant protectors have also been installed to save the saplings.

"In the next step, our team has identified the temporary encroachment out there and we will remove it very soon. We will put our efforts into making the river beautiful and good for the future. It was converted into a drain for the last three decades and now it looks very beautiful. This is also a part of the Namami Gange project and the agency is not able to do good work. We have also raised this issue to the higher-ups. But through public cooperation, work is being done and we can believe that it will soon be seen as a clean river," she added. (ANI)