The Speaking River: The Saga of Sakri River Rejuvenation — A People’s Movement in NEW INDIA

Meer Foundation

Introduction

Chhattisgarh, traditionally known as the ‘Rice Bowl of India,’ is today passing through a severe water crisis. There was a time when its rivers, streams, and ponds remained filled throughout the year. However, rising population, indiscriminate deforestation, climate change, and unscientific exploitation of water resources have rendered the situation alarming. In this context, the ‘Bolti Nadi’ (Speaking River) campaign launched by the Meer Foundation in 2016 emerged as a ray of hope. The fundamental mantra of this campaign was — to save rivers, to give them a voice, and to sensitize society toward them.

Bolti Nadi is not merely a campaign; it is an idea. The foundation of this idea rests on the truth that rivers are not just sources of water, but the very axis of our civilization, culture, and way of life.

Phase One: Urban Outreach and Awareness

The campaign first began its work in urban areas. Between 2017 and 2018, workshops, film screenings, and seminars were organized in more than 50 educational institutions across 8 districts of Chhattisgarh. Through these programs, over two lakh young people were connected to river conservation. More than 35 non-governmental organizations and numerous associations extended their support to this campaign.

This urban model was merely a medium for creating awareness, but the real challenge lay in rural areas, where rivers were in a truly moribund state. Accepting this challenge, the Bolti Nadi campaign took its most ambitious step — a 90-kilometer foot march along the Sakri River.

The Sakri River: Lifeline of 59 Villages

The Sakri River is an important water stream flowing through two districts of Chhattisgarh — Kabirdham and Bemetara. Its origin is in the Maikal mountain range, located upstream of the historically significant Bhoramdev Temple. The river flows through Kariyama village, Chhapri, Raja Nawagaon, Kodar, Rengakhar, and Kawardha town, eventually merging with the Half River near Darhi village in Bemetara district.

This river is not only a source of irrigation and drinking water but also the lifeline of more than 59 villages situated along its banks. However, over the past few decades, due to unscientific exploitation, drying water sources, and increasing pollution, this river was grappling with a crisis of existence. This is where the Bolti Nadi’s Sakri River journey began.

The 90-Kilometer Research Expedition

The 90-kilometer foot march that began in April 2019 was not merely a walk along a river. It was a multi-dimensional research mission, whose objectives included assessing water levels and quality, studying impacts on the ecosystem, preserving cultural and historical heritage, establishing dialogue with rural communities, and conducting ground-level evaluation of government schemes.

The journey began from Kariyama village in Kabirdham district, where a forest department outpost is located. Here, nestled in the lap of the Maikal mountains, lies the origin of the Sakri River. The water here was absolutely clean and sweet. Local elders narrated that this area was once covered with dense forests and wild animals frequently roamed here. The good availability of water at the source energized the team, but the real truth was hidden further ahead in the journey.

Key Observations Along the Journey

Unscientific Hydraulic Structures

Moving ahead from Kariyama, the team reached Chaura village. An anicut had been constructed here, but the situation was surprising. While water was visible upstream of the anicut, just a short distance ahead, the river was completely dry. The team realized that structures like anicuts were succeeding in impounding water upstream but were preventing water from reaching downstream areas. This was a major lesson — applying the same formula everywhere is not correct for the holistic health of a river.

Spatial Disparities in Water Availability

As the journey progressed, water scarcity became more severe. The team observed pronounced spatial disparities along the river course. While the headwaters maintained good flow and quality, mid-reaches had become intermittent or dry due to anicuts, and the urban stretch through Kawardha was polluted and stagnant.

Cultural Heritage Documentation

During the journey, the team encountered several historical sites. One of them was Sherki Mahal, a Shiva temple built by the Nagvanshi kings in the 14th century. Local residents explained that since this temple had no doors, goats would enter and sit near the Shivling, hence it came to be known as Sherki Mahal. This exemplifies how history and local language become intertwined.

Next came the Bhoramdev Temple, called the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh. Built in the 11th century, this temple is famous for its magnificent sculptures and architecture. Here, the temple priest delivered a profound discourse on the importance of water. He observed that Lord Shiva is called Gangadhar, meaning one who holds the Ganga — a symbol of our cultural faith in water. He expressed concern that indiscriminate borewell drilling was rapidly depleting groundwater levels. Citing the Gita, he said, “Annad bhavanti bhutani” — all beings are born from food, food is produced by rain, and rain depends on maintaining nature’s balance.

The Groundwater Crisis

This foot march became the most powerful medium for understanding the pain of rural communities. In every village, the team conversed with people and recorded their problems. In Kesli village, there were six hand pumps, of which only three were functional, and even those did not deliver clean water. Villagers reported that earlier there was so much water in the river that they could bathe and wash, but now the entire village depended on borewells.

In Raja Nawagaon, an elderly villager recounted that when there were no modern facilities, the entire village drank river water. The river maintained a consistent depth throughout the year, which also kept the groundwater level high. He expressed sorrow that today the river had dried up and its water was no longer fit for drinking. In his words, “The river maintained the water level; now that indicator is gone.”

The most alarming evidence emerged from Kuthar village, where residents reported drilling borewells up to 1000 feet deep in search of water. The team explained that at such depths, water may contain harmful chemicals that pose serious health risks.

Urban Pollution Hotspot

Kawardha town is the largest urban area along the Sakri River’s course. By the time the team reached here, they witnessed the river’s pathetic condition. The town’s dirty water, sewage, and garbage were being directly discharged into the river. The river water had turned black and foul-smelling. A local youth reported that due to the town’s solid and liquid waste, the river’s aquatic life had virtually ceased to exist. The team realized that unless Kawardha’s pollution was stopped, no amount of improvement in the upper reaches would lead to successful river rejuvenation.

Bank Erosion and Instability

Beyond Kawardha, the river’s character changed further. Near Raja Nawagaon and Kodar villages, the river had become extremely wide. Villagers reported that during the rainy season, strong currents caused riverbank erosion, threatening their agricultural lands. This was a serious problem, as erosion was not only reducing farmers’ land but also creating imbalance in the river’s flow area. No concrete arrangements existed here to prevent erosion.

Assessment of Government Programs

During the journey, the team observed the state government’s ambitious Narva, Garva, Ghurwa, and Bari scheme on the ground. Near Lalpur village, the team saw fodder seeds being prepared for cattle shelters, to be dispatched to gram panchayats in June — a commendable initiative.

In Kothar Gram Panchayat, the team observed desilting work under the Narva component. MGNREGA laborers were engaged in deepening a stream and removing accumulated silt. A laborer explained that this work was being carried out on this approximately 1-kilometer-long stream, which eventually joins the Sakri River. He believed that desilting would deepen the stream, increase water storage, and enhance groundwater recharge.

However, the team also felt that these schemes were not complete in themselves. Every village had different problems, and finding a uniform solution to these problems was not possible. Some places had poorly designed anicuts, while elsewhere the problem of river erosion was severe. It became clear that for river rejuvenation, local community participation and planning according to each village’s specific needs were essential.

Community Aspirations and Traditional Knowledge

Despite the challenges, community members across the river basin expressed strong aspirations for river rejuvenation. Farmers envisioned reliable irrigation water that would reduce dependence on expensive and unreliable borewells. Women dreamed of clean water accessible within their villages, freeing time for other activities. Young people hoped to restore the river as a space for recreation and community gathering. Elderly residents wished to see the river restored to something approaching its condition in their youth.

Elderly residents across multiple villages provided historical perspectives on traditional water management practices that had sustained the river for generations — maintenance of riparian vegetation, protection of recharge zones, and seasonal rituals that reinforced community stewardship. They attributed the current degradation to the breakdown of these traditional systems, driven by technological shifts and the displacement of community governance.

Confluence and Completion

After four days and 90 kilometers of arduous foot march, the team finally reached Darhi village in Bemetara district. Here, the Sakri River merges with the Half River. Reaching the confluence, the team breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction. This journey was not merely about covering geographical distance; it was a penance to understand the soul of the river.

Key Findings of the Research

The data, interviews, and observations collected during this foot march were compiled into a detailed research report. The following major points were included in this report:

1. Unequal Water Distribution: While water was abundant at the river’s origin, it was almost negligible in the middle and lower reaches.
2. Unscientific Structures: Anicuts and check dams constructed at several places were failing in their purpose, and downstream areas were not receiving water.
3. Indiscriminate Groundwater Exploitation: People were becoming increasingly dependent on ultra-deep borewells to compensate for water scarcity, which could create serious health and environmental crises in the future.
4. Erosion of River Culture: People’s attachment and faith toward the river were diminishing. They had begun to view it merely as a source of water rather than a life-giver.
5. Deficiencies in Scheme Implementation: Schemes like Narva-Garva were moving in the right direction, but they lacked coordination and flexibility according to local needs.

Policy Engagement and Government Collaboration

The biggest contribution of the Bolti Nadi campaign was that it did not confine its research findings to itself, but submitted them with concrete recommendations to concerned government departments and district administrations. The district administrations of Kabirdham and Bemetara took this report seriously. This was the greatest success of the Bolti Nadi campaign — that it not only highlighted the problem but also worked collaboratively with the administrative machinery for its solution.

Multi-Departmental Interventions

After receiving the report, the district administrations of Kabirdham and Bemetara formulated a concrete action plan for the rejuvenation of the Sakri River. Under this, several important steps were taken:

MGNREGA Desilting Operations

Under the leadership of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kawardha and the Collector of Bemetara, MGNREGA laborers were deployed for river cleaning and desilting. This campaign was carried out across almost the entire river belt, improving river flow and cleanliness.

Sewage Treatment Plant Installation

Acting on the advice of the Bolti Nadi campaign and the findings of the report, the Kawardha Municipal Corporation established a sewage treatment plant at a cost of approximately two crore rupees to prevent the town’s sewage from flowing into the river. This dramatically improved water quality downstream of Kawardha.

Erosion Control Measures

Near Raja Nawagaon and Kodar villages, where the river had widened considerably and erosion was a problem, the Public Health Engineering Department undertook construction works on the campaign’s advice. This helped protect the riverbanks from further erosion.

Afforestation and Catchment Treatment

To increase forest cover along the river and improve groundwater levels, large-scale planting of fruit-bearing and medicinal trees was carried out in 59 villages under the Mukhyamantri Vriksh Sampada Yojana.

Check Dams and Water Harvesting Structures

To impound water and enhance groundwater recharge, check dams and gabion structures were constructed at several locations along the river’s course.

Community Response: The Spirit of Shramdan

The most important role in this entire rejuvenation campaign was played by the local villagers. After the report was prepared and administration work began, people in many villages decided to contribute Shramdan (voluntary labor). They themselves took up spades and pickaxes and joined the work of river cleaning and desilting. This Shramdan was proof that people’s attachment to the river was being reawakened. They had begun to view the river not merely as the government’s responsibility, but as their own heritage and their own responsibility.

Outcomes and Impact (2019–2023)

The combined interventions yielded significant hydrological improvements along the Sakri River. Most notably, the river maintained perennial flow for four consecutive years from 2019 to 2023, a marked change from the pre-intervention condition when flow ceased during the dry season. Communities along the river reported visible improvements in water availability, with positive implications for irrigation, livestock, and domestic use.

The visible improvements in river conditions generated positive responses from riparian communities. Villagers who had previously abandoned hope of river rejuvenation began to express optimism and commitment to sustaining the gains. The river, which had become a neglected and degraded space, regained significance as a community asset worthy of protection.

Wider Recognition and Replication Interest

The entire 90-kilometer journey was captured on film. A documentary titled “Bolti Nadi” was produced, which was not only shown in educational institutions across Chhattisgarh but was also sent to film festivals organized in more than 50 countries. This documentary created a platform for the exchange of ideas on river rejuvenation at the global level. This film became evidence of how a grassroots campaign could become part of international dialogue.

In 2019 itself, Commonland, an internationally accredited organization with a twenty-year horizon for landscape restoration, came to work on the Sakri River in Kawardha. They presented jointly with the Meer Foundation in 2025. Besides this, many other institutions showed deep interest in this river. Some organizations are working in the field of agriculture, some in river conservation, some in beautification. The government also provided all possible help, and work continues.

Challenges and Setbacks (Post-2023)

Despite the successes achieved between 2019 and 2023, the Sakri River faced significant challenges in subsequent years. In 2023, under the aegis of a project associated with a major foundation, extensive desilting operations were undertaken in the upper reaches of the river. However, these operations deviated from scientific principles of river restoration, involving indiscriminate excavation of sand from the riverbed in a manner that disrupted the river’s natural morphology and damaged riparian biodiversity.

The excavation, concentrated in villages near the river’s origin, removed large quantities of sand from the central channel, altering flow patterns and destroying aquatic habitat. Local community members who had participated in the earlier rejuvenation efforts expressed dismay at the damage, observing that the interventions had undone years of careful conservation work.

Following these unscientific interventions, the Sakri River once again began to experience flow disruption. By the end of 2023, stretches that had flowed perennially for four years showed signs of drying, and communities reported reduced water availability.

Lessons for Future Practice

The Sakri River experience offers several critical lessons for river conservation practice:

1. Adhere to Scientific Principles: All interventions must be guided by ecological principles. Indiscriminate excavation, even when well-intentioned, can cause lasting damage.
2. Establish Sustained Monitoring: River conservation is a long-term endeavor requiring continuous attention and adaptive management, rather than one-time projects.
3. Combine Participation with Expertise: Community participation must be complemented by technical expertise and regulatory oversight. Communities can provide valuable local knowledge, but they require support from professionals who understand complex river dynamics.
4. Advocate for Clear Protocols: Clear guidelines for river restoration activities must be developed and enforced to prevent damage from unscientific interventions.

Conclusion: A Replicable Model

The 90-kilometer foot march on the Sakri River and the results obtained from it are not merely the story of one river’s rejuvenation; it is a model, a template, that can be applied to any river in the country. This campaign taught that:

• There can be no single formula for river rejuvenation. Every river, every village has different problems, and their solutions must also be different.
• Public participation is the strongest link in saving rivers. Unless rural communities themselves consider the river their own, no government scheme can be completely successful.
• Collaboration between administration and civil society can produce remarkable results. Bolti Nadi chose the path of cooperation and dialogue, not protest, and achieved success.
• The combination of scientific approach with cultural sensitivity is essential. The river is not just a structure of water; it is part of our faith and history.

The Path Forward

What was achieved on the Sakri River is proof that if we all work together, we can save our rivers. But lessons must be learned from the mistakes that occurred. The vision remains that one day the Sakri River will again flow perpetually, and its water will continue to give life to future generations. This is the dream of Bolti Nadi, this is the resolve.

Meer Foundation continues to work toward its vision of healthy, flowing rivers sustaining rural livelihoods and cultural traditions. The river that spoke through its distress in 2019, and that spoke again through its recovery in subsequent years, offers ongoing lessons for all who care about water, life, and the future of India’s riverine heritage.

For more information: www.meerfoundation.co.in