NATIONAL MISSION FOR CLEAN GANGA A Draft prepared by cGanga and Municipal Corporation MinistryNational of Water Mission Resources, for River Clean Development Ganga and Ganga Rejuvenation GOVERNMMinistryENT O ofF JalINDI ShaktiA Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Government of

Vision Kanh A Sustainable Restoration Pathway FEBRUARY 2020

cGanga IMC Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies © cGanga, IMC & NMCG, 2020 Indore Municipal Corporation A Draft prepared by cGanga and Indore Municipal Corporation

Vision Kanh A Sustainable Restoration Pathway

FEBRUARY 2020

Vision Kanh: cGanga IMC 2 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies © cGanga, IMC & NMCG, 2020 Indore Municipal Corporation Vision Kanh: 5 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) NMCG is the implementation wing of National Ganga Council which was setup in October 2016 under the River Ganga Authority order 2016. Initially NMCG was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It acted as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) 1986. NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Restoration, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred to as National Ganga Council). www.nmcg.in Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) Preface cGanga is a think tank formed under the aegis of NMCG, and one of its stated objectives is to make India a world leader in river and water science. The Centre is headquartered at IIT Kanpur and has representation from most leading science and technological institutes of the country. cGanga’s mandate is to serve as think-tank in implementation and dynamic evolution of Ganga River National River Ganga has been at the centre of river system were brought into focus for restorative Basin Management Plan (GRBMP) prepared by the Consortium of 7 IITs. In addition to this it is also responsible for introducing the government’s multi-decadal efforts to restore action because they could be restored and new technologies, innovations and solutions into India. and conserve degraded Indian rivers. The Ganga conserved independently and cohesively in the www.cganga.org River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP) submitted entire Ganga basin, thereby leading to a cascading Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), impact on River Ganga as a whole. This approach Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is the governing body of the city of Indore in the Indian state of . It consists Government of India in the year 2015 by a Consortium was embodied in the Concise Manual and Guide of democratically elected members and is headed by a mayor. IMC administers the city's infrastructure and public services of 7 IITs (“Indian Institute of Technology”s) set for River Restoration presented by cGanga and including healthcare, educational services etc. At present, the Indore municipal area is divided into 19 zones and 85 wards of various sizes and population. As per the provision of Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1956, IMC has a chairman a clear direction and action-framework for this NMCG during the India Water Impact Summit (Mayor), councilors elected by direct election from 85 wards of Indore, 2 members of Parliament, and 5 members of State purpose, but progress on its implementation was (IWIS) in 2019. Adopting the strategy outlined in Legislative Assembly representing constituencies within the municipal area. In recent years IMC has launched Indore Smart tardy, partly due to the GRBMP recommendations the manual, the present Vision Document for River City project as a major initiative to upgrade the Governance, Transportation, Energy & Waste Management, Water Management, being broad-based strategic measures to some Kanh lays down the restoration needs and strategy Finance, Health & Education, Infrastructure and Heritage of Indore. www.imcindore.org extent. Therefore, after the Centre for Ganga River for the river given its socio-cultural and ecological Basin Management and Studies (“cGanga”) was status – both historical and modern– and the urban Acknowledgment created through a Memorandum of Understanding and rural socio-economic needs of present times. The Vision Document for Sustainable Restoration of River Kanh was the synthesis of the diverse efforts of cGanga, Indore between MoWR, RD&GR (now Ministry of Jal The document does not lay down the nuts and bolts Municipal Corporation, and many enthusiastic individuals and organisations involved in adapting the essential ingredients of the Ganga River Basin Management Plan and River Restoration Vision to the specific ground realities and socio-cultural milieu of Shakti), Government of India and IIT Kanpur in April of the restoration plan but is a first step at defining the Kanh river basin. Their commitments and help are gratefully acknowledged along with those of many people who contributed 2016, cGanga conducted many field and in-house them by taking cognizance of the physical, social to the photographs and images for this document. studies as well as workshops and consultations and management status of the Kanh river. Suggested Citation with stakeholders, executive bodies, monitoring Draft Document on Vision Kanh: A Sustainable Restoration Pathway by cGanga, IMC and NMCG agencies and experts on various components of This document was prepared by dedicated GRBMP and its implementation. Based on these members of cGanga through the gathering of Contacts activities over the past few years, a clearer information, analyses and discussions with various Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) understanding emerged on some of the major agencies and individuals. Key stakeholders, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208 016, Uttar Pradesh, India or implementation challenges of GRBMP, especially experts and community representatives of the Kanh National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) the difficulty in restoring a very large and complex river basin also interacted with cGanga members Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi 110 002, India river system like River Ganga. This led to a more and gave their valuable inputs unreservedly on © cGanga, IMC & NMCG, 2020 refined and detailed strategic implementation many aspects of the document. This document procedure that combines robust scientific is, therefore, the outcome of a joint effort of Team Authors method with a Socio-economically, culturally and cGanga with dedicated members of the Kanh Vinod Tare, Founding Head, cGanga, IIT Kanpur administratively aligned policy framework. river basin. Asheesh Singh, Municipal Commissioner, IMC Indore Gautam Roy, cGanga, IIT Kanpur The revised strategy that evolved was essentially Suresh Kr Gurjar, cGanga, IIT Kanpur a bottom-up approach to Ganga river conservation Vinod Tare Adarsh Malviya, cGanga, IIT Kanpur where relatively small, low-order streams that Professor & Founding Head, cGanga comprise the main source streams of the Ganga IIT Kanpur

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Vision Kanh: Aerial view of Kanh river, Indore 6 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway Vision Kanh: 9 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway

Individuality A Introduction B of Rivers

India’s national river – and Bhagirathi rivers) in Rivers, large and small, have their own individual characteristics. River Ganga – and her river Uttarakhand. However, a more Ancient Indian scriptures also allude to different rivers having network are spread over the comprehensive scientific and different significances thus: vast alluvial plains of North and spiritual view of River Ganga East India with the Himalayan is to include all her source mountain ranges at its northern streams as being integral to and north-eastern boundary, River Ganga since they all f=fHk% lkjLora rks;a lIrkgsu rq ;kequEk~‌ A the Aravalli mountains at the contribute their flows not only l|% iqukfr xkaxs; n’kZuknso ukenZE‌k~ AA north-west, and the Vindhya to the main stem but also to and Satpura ranges towards the river ecosystem (Figure 1). ¼erL; iqjk.k] ƒŠ‡@ƒå&ƒƒ½ its south-west. Though River Thus, even small, low-order Ganga is conventionally streams in the Ganga river basin ¼ljLorh unh esa rhu fnu Luku djus ls] ;equk esa lkr fnu Luku djus ls ,oa xaxk esa dsoy considered to begin at the may be of much significance ,d Luku ls ifo=rk çkfIr gksrh gS ijUrq ueZnk ds n'kZu ek= ls euq"; ifo= gks tkrk gS+A ½ confluence of Rivers Bhagirathi as far as her overall status and Alaknanda at Devprayag in is concerned. Hence, River the state of Uttarakhand, it is Ganga may be considered to [Bathing for three days in River Saraswati, seven days in River Yamuna, and only variously held to include also include thousands of streams one day in River Ganga bestows sacredness, but human beings one or more of its head-streams originating from various become sacred merely by the auspicious sight of River Narmada above the confluence – the locations in the basin, and, if - Matsya Purana, 185/10-11] Bhagirathi river, or both the they have degraded, then the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, restoration and conservation or her six major head-streams of even small streams is (the Alaknanda, Dhauli Ganga, vital for the restoration and Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini conservation of River Ganga. What the above verse of topography, catchment suggests is that all rivers properties, geomorphology, may be important and hydrology, hydraulics, water be considered to include sacred for humans, but quality and ecology. Thus, the River Ganga may different rivers should be restoration and conservation thousands of streams originating from various locations in approached differently and of a large river like River Ganga the basin, and, if they have degraded, then the restoration treated differently because must be addressed with similar and conservation of even small streams is vital for the each river has its own unique differentiation for her different restoration and conservation of River Ganga characteristics in terms component streams.

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Figure 1: Ganga River System as "Sahasradhara" showing the origins of a myriad streams that contribute to River Ganga from various parts of the basin

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Why Prioritize River Kanh’s C Restoration

In a follow-up to the Ganga River flowing through Indore city and Basin Management Plan-2015 joining River Kshipra near Ujjain, (GRBMP), cGanga had reviewed is an ideal candidate for restoring Legend the implementation challenges of and conserving as a living river. Ujjain District GRBMP and concluded that the The city of Indore in Madhya tardy implementation is at least Pradesh is known for its throbbing Indore District partly due to the complexity of economic life, general cleanliness, Indore Municipal the Ganga basin over the vast shared urban spaces, historical Boundaries

landscape. Hence, a strategic heritages, religious shrines, and Kahn Basin approach had been evolved other visible signs of healthy urban by cGanga and NMCG for its life. If any natural factor constrains Kshipra River systematic implementation by the growth and prosperity of Kahn River fully restoring and conserving Indore, it is the limitation of small low-order tributaries water and water bodies. For through comprehensive though the city has been growing measures while the main Ganga rapidly over the decades, its Figure 2: Location map of Kanh river basin in Indore and Ujjain Districts river and her major tributaries limited water resources has led are revived through broader to unsustainable groundwater landscape-scale measures withdrawals, falling water table, [cGanga and NMCG, 2019]. and shrinkage or drying up of its river to a discharge drain for the advantages in reviving and In keeping with the above rivers and water bodies. Thus, city’s municipal wastewater and conserving River Kanh including approach, the Kanh river in Madhya Indore’s main the heart of the city monsoon stormwater. There are its immense benefits for the Ganga Pradesh, (see Figure 2) a relatively – River Kanh – has changed over thus considerable hydrological, river system. low order but important river time from a seemingly perennial ecological, civic and aesthetic Presently the Kanh river carries

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Project diverting River Kanh to the Kshipra River downstream of Ujjain during Simhastha 2016. River Kanh deprived of its right to union with Kshipra at Sangam due to this diversion.

mostly municipal wastewater in and aesthetic needs. Besides, 2016. The diversion, however, the dry season and wastewater they adversely affect the was only a temporary measure "The diversion of plus intermittent stormwater downstream reaches of the river that did not alter its long- River Kanh to bypass the Triveni runoff in the monsoon season. as well as River Kshipra – which term adverse effect on River While dry season flows are it joins at the Triveni Sangam Kshipra’s water quality and Sangam during Simhastha 2016 not much more than a trickle, near Ujjain. Due to this reason biodiversity. It is natural, then, was only a temporary measure monsoon flows can still be high its flows had been temporarily that restoration of River Kanh that did not alter its long-term and flood the riparian areas. But diverted through a sewer needs to be taken up urgently adverse effect on River Kshipra's the polluted waters of River Kanh diversion project and released to benefit the city, the rivers are a major drawback for aquatic into the Kshipra downstream of and water bodies in the region, water quality and biodiversity" biota and for the city’s hygienic Ujjain during the Simhastha in and River Ganga as a whole.

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Historical and Hydrological Significance D of River Kanh

Indore city developed the Triveni Sangam (three- along the banks of River Kanh river confluence) of Rivers in the nineteenth century. The Kshipra, Kanh and the invisible Kanh river was considered Saraswati, since it was begun to be as pious as the larger in the 18th century by the rivers in the region – Rivers Maratha ruler Ranoji Sindhe. Narmada and Kshipra. Hence Skandapurana, the largest the rulers visited of all Mahapuranas, in its the city regularly during multiple verses, mentions the Congregation of pilgrims near Triveni Sangam, Ujjain during Simhastha 2016 Shravana fairs. In central sacredness and importance India, Simhastha (Kumbh) of the confluence of the holy is generally organized at Rivers Kshipra and Kanh, e.g.: and rhFkZeU;rja O;kl {kkrklaxelaHkoe~ A ;= rq Lukuek=s.k egkikiS% çeqP;rs AA {kkrklaxela;qäk ;= f’kçk i;fLouh AA ¼LdUniqjk.k ds vofUr[kaM esa egf"kZ O;kl th us rhFkksZ esa {kkrk ¼ dkUg@[;krk½ ds f{kçk ,oa r= Hkqfä’p eqfä’p /ku/kkU;lekxe% AA ljLorh unh ds laxe LFkku fd egÙkk dks crkrs gq, dgk gS fd bl laxe LFkku ij Luku djus ls egkikiksa ls Hkh eqfä feyrh gS½ ¼ftl LFkku ij dkUg unh dk laxe f'kçk ds lkFk gksrk gS ml LFkku ij Hkkstu] eks{k ,oa /ku /kkU; dk Hkh lekxe gksrk gS vFkkZr ml LFkku ij ;s lHkh çpqj ek=k esa feyrs gS½ [As per Maharshi Vyas taking a dip at the confluence of Rivers Kanh, Kshipra and Saraswati at Triveni Sangam will cleanse people even from great sins.] [The location of Rivers Kshipra and Kanh’s confluence is notable for the profusion of food, wealth and salvation.]

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Suitability of River Kanh’s Restoration in the Ganga E Basin

River Kanh originates at appeal and biodiversity Asrawad Khurd near the south- richness to add to the Kshipra eastern boundary of Indore river’s many native fish species and flows over a length of such as catfish, barbs and Kanh river at Krishna Pura, Indore about 26 km through the city, Indian major carps. traversing about 80 km overall The Kanh river is ideally until it reaches its confluence suited for revival on a priority The with the Kshipra. There are basis. Its main advantages for stream Traditionally, Kanh several other smaller rivers taking up restoration work are network (such as the Chandrabhaga indicated below: and nearby River waters have helped maintain and Saraswati) and natural the region’s aquatic environment, soil River waters have helped drains joining the Kanh river in l Low Order Stream: ponds can be moisture and microclimate, provided for maintain the region’s aquatic Indore, besides several lakes The Kanh river is a third order hydraulically irrigation and domestic needs, recharged environment, soil moisture and ponds in the district. The stream that joins the fourth connected and microclimate, provided for Sirpur Lake, for instance, is a order Kshipra river, which later to provide an groundwater, and enriched the Kshipra river irrigation and domestic needs, paradise for bird watchers for joins the Chambal river, which integrated recharged groundwater, and native as well as migratory disgorges into River Yamuna, a The Kanh river is not only of enriched the Kshipra river at birds. The lakes are, however, major tributary of National River aquatic system great historical and religious Ujjain with its flow. If the Kanh far-flung and not directly Ganga (Figure 3). Thus, while to augment the significance, its hydrological river is fully restored, then it hydraulically connected to being part of the Ganga River city’s water importance is also notable. can not only meet all these the Kanh river. But the stream System, the Kanh river is not availability, It drains a considerable tract needs but also other needs of network and nearby ponds can heavily affected by a network aesthetic of land in Indore district, river resources by Indore city be hydraulically connected to of lower order streams, and its thereby removing surplus and its neighbourhood, such provide an integrated aquatic restoration can be carried out appeal and biomass, inert materials and as recreation and waterway system to augment the city’s comprehensively and cohesively biodiversity wastes. Traditionally, Kanh transport. water availability, aesthetic for the entire river. richness

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l Perennial Stream: of the river basin to make it Available information economically viable and a If the indicates that the Kanh river resounding success. municipal was historically a perennial wastewater river, though presently it may l Prominence: are not be so if one excludes River Kanh is not only the adequately anthropogenic discharges. largest river of Indore and a However, through inter-basin historically important river treated and transfer of water from River in the region, it also flows fed into the Narmada, 495 MLD water centrally through the length of river, then is pumped from the water Indore city in a more or less a minimum treatment plant near Jalud South to North direction. Its assured (situated at a distance of basin, with an area of 820 sq discharge of about 50 km from Indore) km., includes a diversity of Land to meet Indore’s municipal Cover and Land Use patterns unpolluted water demand. Treated, such as large agricultural areas, water can be partially treated and untreated urban conglomeration, rural maintained wastewater generated in Indore settlements, industrial and in the Kanh municipal area then goes into institutional areas, scrublands river during the Kanh river, which effectively and rocky terrain. Runoff and makes it perennial even if the wastewater from these areas lean periods lean season flows are small contribute variously to the for its and polluted. If the municipal flow of the river to give it a ecosystem to wastewater are adequately composite texture. come alive Stream Order treated and fed into the river, then a minimum assured discharge of unpolluted water can be maintained in the Kanh river during lean periods for its ecosystem to come alive.

l Urban Location: The restoration of Kanh river as a healthy freshwater stream can be a boon for the city of Indore – for the hygienic, aesthetic and ecological benefits that it can bestow. The significant economic and cultural benefits Figure 3: Kshipra River of restoring the river can ensure Basin including The Kanh the enthusiastic support of River Network citizens and stakeholders Aerial view of River Saraswati (left) and Kanh (right) in Indore city

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Basic Information Basin Area = 821 sq km About River Average Rainall = 900 mm Kanh and its Length in Rural Area = 51 kms

F Hydrology Average Slope = 1 in 500

River Kanh runs for a length and Table 1. The natural flow of about 80 km, of which 26 and hydraulic capacities of Channel Width = 10-30 m km length lies in Indore city many of the drains have been and the balance 54 km is affected by heavy silt and in rural setting as shown in sludge deposits that require (Figure 4). The river channel frequent de-silting. This is 33 Major slums on either side is at most about 30 m wide partly because the stormwater of River Kanh in its entire stretch, but its drains are now used primarily floodplains may have been as wastewater drains or as encroached upon in some combined sewers carrying places. There are 33 major both municipal wastewater Length in Urban Area = 23 kms slums on either side of the and stormwater. However, it is Seven Major Wastewater Drains river, which together with other also possible that increased Feeding to River urban developments may soil erosion and solid wastes have partly shrunk the needed (such as construction wastes) river space. Several large and are entering these drains, small drains join River Kanh, thereby causing siltation due as evident from (Figure 5) to low flow velocities.

There are 33 major slums on either side of the river, which together with other urban developments Figure 4: Hydrological Features and Setting of Kanh River may have partly shrunk the needed river space

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Table 1: Sizes of Natural Drains of the Kanh River Network

S.No. River/Drain Length (in m) Avg. Width (in m) 1 Azad Nagar Drain 1694 4.83 2 Pimpliyapala Drain 1690 2.09 3 Drain 7487 4.82 4 Piliyakhal Drain 10791 4.63 5 Khajrana Drain 4858 6.83 6 Tulsi Nagar Drain 10108 2.88 7 Saraswati River 3867 7.26 8 Saraswati River 5251 15.59 9 Kanh River 5017 5.46 10 Kanh River 4799 14.78 11 Kanh River 3283 18.29 12 Kanh River 2104 10.73 13 Kanh River 2324 23.53 14 Kanh River 9788 19.86 15 Kanh River 51735 27.41

Check dam at Sirpur Lake, Indore Figure 5: Kanh River’s Incoming Natural Drains and Proposed Riverfront Development

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The Water Question in G Kanh Basin Narmada Water Supply to Indore & enroute villages Water is the primary critical in the latter basin, especially of resource in the Kanh River municipal sewage, as indicated 1977 Basin. With anthropogenic usage in Figure 6 (a) and (b). It may having exceeded freshwater be noted, however, that the 90 MLD renewal capacity of the basin, wastewater produced is not used PHASE for 0.87 Million I Indore city’s water demand is in any form, but is partly treated Population 1989 largely met by water sourced before being discharged out

from the Narmada river as well of the basin through the Kanh PHASE 90 MLD as unsustainable groundwater river. Given the polluted nature II for 1.18 Million withdrawals. Freshwater sources of the wastewater and its limited 2010 Population have thus being shrinking over residence time in the basin, it Two Parts of time, including the Kanh river is obvious that the wastewater 360 MLD each PHASE system. However, transfer does more harm than good, Present Utilization 270 MLD designed for 6.0 Million III PRESENT of water from the Narmada besides being an expenditure population river basin to the Kanh basin burden for the city authorities has resulted in considerable to treat and safely dispose. A Total Water Supply Phase from Narmada additional wastewater production radically different approach to I + II + III 540 MLD the holistic management of this surplus wastewater, however, can restore the entire cityscape Indore city’s water demand and its water bodies, especially is largely met by water sourced from the River Kanh, into vibrant urban ecosystems with vast aesthetic, ISSUES and Concerns Narmada river as well as unsustainable ecological and economic benefits High cost of conveyance (29 INR/cu.m) groundwater withdrawals accruing from them. Water Sources for future population Water pollution Integrated Water Resources Management?

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Existing stp capacity 335 MLD Gap in Generation and Collection?

FUNDS?

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Restoration Strategy for H Kanh River

The essential restoration Primary (and, where possible, strategy involving utilization of Secondary) Treatment of municipal municipal wastewater to maintain sewage ensures significant flows in the river has been already removal of organic and inorganic described in the Concise River contaminants, phyto-remediation Restoration Manual (cGanga and of the ensuing wastewater in NMCG, 2019), and is repeated here Wetlands (natural or constructed) for completeness. The restoration removes further organics, nutrients, measures needed comprise and other pollutants, thereby comprehensive action not only for preventing any harm to the river the river but also for the floodplains while also fulfilling suitability of the and, in fact, the entire catchment or river water for human needs. watershed. Thus, attention should be paid on all aspects, namely: l Water Saving or Increased Water Availability l Input Water Quality: The Four-Stage Water Quality A Four-Stage Water Quality Improvement Cycle proposed above Improvement Cycle is proposed as effectively results in recycling of shown in (Figure 7) for municipal anthropogenic water use at the (and, where possible, industrial, local ecosystem level. The net water

commercial and agricultural losses in such recycling will be only Regeneration and Freshwater Use for Municipal Water Cycle water Treatment 7: The Four-Layer Figure return) flow management so that some evaporation and conveyance the freshwater body receiving losses, apart from losses due to the water is not only ecologically human water usage. and aesthetically satisfying, but is also a reliable source of l Integrity of the River System water for human use. Thus, while The river channel and banks need

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storms; or bridges may be needed kept of all changes made and/or to secure river crossings for human observed in the river and its basin and terrestrial animals. (including key monitoring indicators) during the restoration-conservation l Restoring/ Developing Aquatic period. These records will not and Terrestrial Biota only help assess the progress and Both aquatic and terrestrial flora success of the efforts, but can also and fauna are essential for healthy help in overcoming unexpected rivers and their catchments. Natural obstacles in the progress as well as vegetation, in particular, helps in implementing similar programmes catchments in recharging groundwater in other river basins. and soil moisture as well as in runoff It is of importance to note that in purification. Hence efforts may be recent years the Indore Municipal desirable to generate and maintain Corporation (IMC) has planned adequate natural vegetal cover in many decentralized STPs as shown the basin. Likewise, adequate levels in (Figure 8), which would be of of aquatic flora and fauna should advantage in transporting the STP- be maintained in the river and water treated flows to nearby wetlands and bodies by controlling over-exploitation rivers/ drains instead of expensive Artist's conception of River Front Development at Krishna Pura, Indore of biotic products and seeding with transportation to large downstream suitable species where needed. STP-treated waters towards the complete protection from ensuring the sustenance of and head-end of River Kanh. Table 2 human actions such as sand connectivity with other water l Continuous Records below presents the list of small mining, constructions, and other bodies (including groundwater) in A complete inventory should be Decentralized STPs planned by IMC. Both interventions. Simultaneously, the the region is of importance. aquatic floodplains and incoming drains and terrestrial (and, in fact, the entire catchment l River-Related flora and fauna or watershed) need safeguards Infrastructure are essential against encroachments, Some structural interventions for healthy structural impairments, may be necessary to ensure rivers and their denudations, and blockages of the functioning of the river catchments. natural drainage paths. as a secure perennial river Natural without obstructing terrestrial vegetation, in l Water Resource activities. Thus, for instance, particular, helps Integration weirs may be needed in river catchments While the primary focus is on the stretches with steep gradients in recharging river as a freshwater body, water to provide the necessary groundwater bodies seldom exist in nature flow depths or flow velocities and soil in functional isolation, but are needed for river biota; or, moisture as hydraulically and hydrologically embankments may be needed well as in runoff linked to other water bodies in regions that are susceptible purification in the neighbourhood. Thus to flooding during heavy

Riverside walkway by Kanh river at Krishnapura Vision Kanh: Chhatri in the 1980s 32 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway Vision Kanh: 35 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway

Table 2: Proposed Decentralized STPs in Indore

Location Capacity Prateek Setu 8 MLD Radhaswami Ground 6 MLD Zoo, IMC Open Ground 35 MLD Hukmakhedi Talab 6 MLD Nahar Bhandara 11 MLD Ahirkhedi 1 MLD Bada Bangarda 3 MLD Kanadiya 6 MLD Arandiya 8 MLD Shakkarkhedi 5 MLD Talawali Chanda 1 MLD

Delivery of Kanh river caged in sewer line downstream of Ujjain during Simhastha 2016 Figure 8: Location of Existing and Proposed STPs in IMC

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It may be noted that, in general, risk-prone structures, except Restoration floodplains are sometimes for essential items such as given little importance in River-related Infrastructure, I Stages & Targets restoration processes. But Bathing Ghats, Water/ floodplains are important in Wastewater Treatment Plants, multiple ways, and they should Riverside Recreational and Civic be considered as integral to the Facilities, etc. In case pre- The restoration goals may Manual (cGanga and NMCG, natural river space. Hence a existing structures occupy the not be achieved immediately in 2019), the restoration targets floodplain of 25-year to 50-year floodplains, the attempt should completeness. As enunciated in and milestones may be set out return floods should generally be to initially target a risk-free the Concise River Restoration in stages as shown in (Figure 8): have natural vegetal cover and floodway of at least 5 to 10 year be free from constructions and return floods.

Stage 1 1 Aesthetic Satisfaction (Visual appearance, Smell)

2 Recreational Satisfaction (e.g. boating) Stage 2 Structural integrity of river (stable bed & banks, unoccupied 3 floodplains) and good water quality (physical-chemical & biological)

Stage 3 Achieving abundant-native- Stage 4 biodiversity 4

Figure 8: Restoration milestones that may be achieved in stages Aerial view of proposed River Front Development at Krishnapura Chhatri, Indore

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J Governance

The governance of River Kanh’s stakeholders who may be involved in Restoration and Conservation KRBO is presented. process must be cohesively managed by a dedicated Kanh River Basin Political Stakeholders Organization (or equivalent body). l Member of Parliament (MP) The principles to be adopted by the l Members of Legislative Assembly KRBO are as listed in the Concise (MLAs) River Restoration Manual (cGanga and l Mayor NMCG, 2019), namely: l Councillors of Wards l Agriculture Department l nGOs/CSOs & activists & Agriculture Engineering l news Media l KR BO as Custodian for the river – Academicians & Researchers Department l Faith leaders this is its main task. l cGanga l horticulture Department l Common People l Stakeholder-based participatory l iit Indore l Panchayat & Rural Development representation in KRBO l iiM Indore Department, Others International Groups & l Conformity with State and Federal l SGSITS Indore Businesses Laws l Others Urban Local Bodies The main objectives of KRBO l Specialized and continuous l indore Municipal Corporation should be as detailed in the knowledge updating BUREAUCRATS & TECHNOCRATS (IMC) Concise River Restoration Manual l O pen access information bank about l Ministry of Jal Shakti (NMCG, CWC, l indore Development Authority [cGanga and NMCG, 2019], namely: the river CGWB, NWM, NWDA) (IDA) (i) Recovering and sustaining l MoEF&CC (CPCB, FRI, WII) l indore Smart City Development the health of River Kanh, (ii) Hence the KRBO itself should comprise l Ministry of Tourism Ltd (ISCDL) Ensuring that measures are taken largely of prominent local persons l MoHUA l Others conforming to the local ecology and stakeholders besides government l Ministry of Finance and environment, (iii) Maximizing representatives and subject experts. l CPCB, MPPCB, CWC Public/Private the benefits from River Kanh, and The role of stakeholders has been l District Collector/District l Consultants, contractors & (iv) Minimizing damages or losses further discussed in the above Magistrate, Commissioner (IMC), vendors caused by the river. To meet these manual and is not repeated here CEO (ISCDL) l Resident Welfare Association objectives consistently KRBO in detail. (Figure 9) illustrates the l MPPCB, PHED, MPWRD l Market Associations/ may develop suitable metrics to role of stakeholders in River Kanh’s l narmada Control Authority Commercial Condominiums measure the progress in meeting restoration, and a suggestive list of l EPCO l Prominent Citizens the objectives.

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Implementation Challenge: • MPWRD De-aligned Interests Coordination • EPCO The major implementation • PHED challenge of River Basin Plans is the • Narmada Control Authority divergence of interests and outlook Politicians, Bureaucrats Legal • Agriculture Department & of different actors and the short & Technocrats Agriculture-Engineering and variable residence time of the World Bank Department agents of implementation. How can • Horticulture Department this problem be overcome? Approach • Panchayat & Rural River Basin Management as an International JICA Development Department Embedded Cyclic Process Groups & Businesses • Forest Department • Tourism Department Academicians & ADB Ministry of Finance MoHUA Researchers

Kishore Kodwani (Social Activist) • cGanga (Water Satyagraha- To restore Kanh & Saraswati Rivers) Central • IIT Government • IIM Indore Government CSO, Activists Harshvardhan Barwe • SGSITS (Legal rights as Human beings - & Petition to the NGT) • CEPRD Faith Leaders MPPCB Ministry of Ministry of Jal Shakti • DAVV Tourism (NMCG, CWC, CGWB, Kshipra Purification Trust, DUDA MPHB NWM and NWDA) Gadhkalika Shaktipeeth, Harsiddhi Shaktipeeth, Shani Navgraha MoEF&CC Temple at Triveni Sangam in Ujjain (CPCB, FRI, WII ) T&CP

Consultants, District Administration Contractors & Executing Vendors Agencies IDA District Collector Media (Print, Commissioner Urban Local Common Broadcast, Person Internet etc.) Mayor Bodies IMC Figure 9: Stakeholders for Restoration and Conservation of Kanh River

ISCDL

Vision Kanh: 40 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway Vision Kanh: 43 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway

Potential Expenses, Table 3: Potential Benefits of Kanh River Restoration SR No. Benefit benefits and revenues 1 Increased and Better Quality Freshwater Availability 2 Fuel, organic fertilizers, and other value-added products from Likely to be Incurred for harvested wetland biomass. 3 Readily available recreational activities like boating, fishing, Kanh River’s Restoration and birding. 4 Navigation and Waterway Transport, K and Conservation 5 Modern recreational activities like Open Gyms, Bicycle-riding zones, Sports activity zones, Kids play-zones, Water sports zones, Water jet landings/ports, Amphitheatres, Art Installations, There are several heads of expenditure likely to be incurred for the restoration etc. project. The exact expenses can only be estimated after finalisation of the project 6 Bee keeping; Flower farming; Fisheries and details, but the major items that can be envisaged at the outset are listed below: Commercial Fishing 7 Agriculture/Region specific commercial farming

River interventions to improve 8 Pop-up plazas; Shopping Malls, Commercial establishments Water Treatment Plants 1 6 conveyance, maintain minimum flow depths and minimize flooding 9 Jal Vidhya Mandir, Crematoria Usage

River Surface Cleaning Clearing encroachments (Harvesting of Excessive 2 7 of the river and its Aquatic Growth) floodplains

Expenditure Revenue Sewerage Network Plantations or green 3 8 cover on floodplains on Generating Interventions Functions Networking of river Sewage Treatment 4 9 with nearby water Plants bodies Actual Government Scenario Funding Wetlands for Final Development of riverside Stage Wastewater 5 10 walkways, bathing ghats, Treatment crematoria and other civic facilities

Revenue The city of Indore has many public River Kanh and other water bodies proposed Generating attributes such as green open spaces and herein are summarized in Table 3. The actual Major Functions water bodies that are aesthetically, culturally benefits likely to accrue will depend on the Inerventions 1. Treated Wastewater and spiritually vital for urban life. But the detailed project plan. Taking into account 1. Water Supply Supply 2. Sewage Treatment 2. Waste To Energy rapid growth of Indore has also resulted in all these benefits along with increased 3. Solid Waste Management 3. Inland Navigation 4. Recreational Activities increased built-up areas that squeeze the municipal water availability, the scheme 4. Wetlands 5. Catchment Improvement 5. Commercial Activities on available public spaces and vital ecological proposed herein can be expected to be an 6. River Works River Banks 7. Buffer Storage Reservoirs 6. Real Estate Development niches. These issues can be significantly all-round success. It should be noted that the (Escalation in land cost) redressed - economically, culturally and increased water availability itself can result ecologically - by the restoration of Kanh in considerable saving in transporting water River. The foreseeable benefits of reviving from the distant Narmada river.

Vision Kanh: 42 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway Vision Kanh: 45 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway

Knowledge and L Information Gaps plans and their implementation l Monitoring of STPs, may also have unnoticed Wetlands & Drains by flaws that can cause such Specialized Agencies There are evidently many grey areas which can only be cleared up setbacks. Hence a system of l Performance Feedback from after project formulation and studies. A few such tasks to close rigorous monitoring, feedback, Stakeholders the information gaps may be mentioned: performance evaluation and l Performance Evaluation by course correction (if needed) Experts is essential. The basic tasks l Overall Evaluation by RBO to be carried out here are as l Corrective Measures for follows [cGanga and NMCG, future to be appropriately 2019]: devised by RBO 1 2 3 4

Survey Detailed Reliable Study and demarcation survey of the estimates or to estimate of areas and cross-sections measurements of and, if possible, N Conclusion drainage routes and dimensions Flood Flows (of regulate outflow that need to be of River Kanh 5-, 10-, 25- and from the natural cleared 50-year return percolation tank periods) near The Kanh River of Indore is not a very large river, but it is an important river for the Ganga River and a famous and prominent river of Madhya Pradesh. Holistic restoration of River Kanh with Indore city’s municipal wastewater treated in STPs and followed by wetland phytoremediation Monitoring, will provide all-round benefits for anthropogenic and ecological needs of the region and become a trend-setter in India. It is, therefore, hoped that stakeholders of the Kanh river basin will actively involve themselves in Feedback, this sunrise venture. Evaluation & M Course Correction References

Rivers are among the temporary setbacks due to cGanga aND NMCG (2019), "River Restoration and Conservation: A Concise Manual and Guide." most complex ecosystems inadequate understanding of a IMC (2017), "Detailed Project Report on Indore Water Supply - Vol I" of nature, and in spite of the specific river’s characteristics. IMC (2017), "Detailed Project Report on Indore Sewerage System - Vol I" best efforts there may be Moreover, both the restoration CGWB (2013), "District Ground Water Information Booklet for Indore District"

Vision Kanh: 44 A Sustainable Restoration Pathway Iconic Heritages of Indore in the proximity of River Kanh cGanga Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies