Lucknow, Jul 11 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated the restoration of Budhi Rapti river in Shravasti district, an official statement said on Friday.
The initiative is part of the government’s mission to revive extinct and vanishing rivers in the state and restore their natural flow and ecological balance, it said.
The revival of Budhi Rapti river is being carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme. With public participation, the project aims to restore the river’s blocked stretches and improve its overall flow, the statement said.
According to Shravasti District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, the initiative is aimed at addressing water scarcity and restoring environmental equilibrium.
Large-scale desiliting and flow restoration activities will be undertaken after the monsoon to help the Budhi Rapti river return to its natural course by next year. The river’s alignment was mapped using remote sensing technology, and restoration work is underway, Dwivedi said.
The total length of Budhi Rapti river is 67.03 kilometres, with a catchment area of 18,356.64 hectares. Of this, its flow is obstructed at a stretch of 16.91 kilometres, he explained.
According to the government statement, the revival of Budhi Rapti river will significantly enhance water availability for irrigation in the 54 surrounding villages and ensure sustainable agricultural development in the region.
According to surveys, there has been no major deviation in the river’s natural course. Soil quantity will be assessed during the cleaning process, it added.
Last week, a similar drive was launched to revive Manorama river in Gonda district. PTI NAV SHS SHS RUK RUK
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