WWF-India Launches Initiative to Rejuvenate Chambal-Yamuna Rivers

Posted on 28 January 2025
© WWF-India
WWF-India and Genpact have launched a multi-stakeholder initiative towards integrated management of the Chambal and Yamuna Rivers which will also contribute to the health of the Ganga.
 
The Chambal river is home to 77% of the global breeding gharial population. It is also an important habitat for our national aquatic animal—the Ganga river dolphin
 
This initiative aims to work with stakeholders—government, farming and riparian communities and technical institutions – to find nature based and sustainable approaches to address issues of over-abstraction of water, habitat degradation, and climate change and to strengthen basin governance. 
 
Etawah: WWF-India, today announced the launch of a four-year multi-stakeholder initiative on the Chambal-Yamuna river system, along with Genpact, a global advanced technology services and solutions company that delivers unparalleled value for leading enterprises.
 
The launch at Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, included diverse stakeholders—Government departments from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan (Forest Departments; Irrigation & Water Resources Departments; representatives of district administration (Kasganj, Gwalior, Auraiya, and Etawah); farming communities from Parbati-Sindh and Kali rivers and riparian communities besides the teams from Genpact India and WWF-India.
 
The Chambal flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh and contributes significantly to the freshwater flow in the Yamuna and the Ganga. This river is home to 77% of the global breeding gharial population. It is also an important habitat for the national aquatic animal—the Ganga river dolphin. A known breeding site for Indian Skimmers in North India, the Chambal River and the riverine arc assume great significance by providing connectivity and contiguity between the several Protected Areas (three National Parks and 25 Wildlife Sanctuaries). 
 
Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India, highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, "The Chambal river, being a unique and critical freshwater ecosystem holds an immense potential to realise the vision of a healthy Ganga. Through this initiative, WWF-India will work with key stakeholders, including local communities, the Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan and the National Mission for Clean Ganga, to enhance understanding of the river—its hydrology, morphology, ecology and governance to develop valuable insights and pave the way for long-term conservation of one of India's important perennial rivers.
“As a purpose-driven company, sustainability is woven into Genpact’s DNA. We’re excited to partner with WWF-India to rejuvenate the Chambal-Yamuna river basin and do our part to tackle climate change and contribute towards creating a more sustainable world for all.” Piyush Mehta, CHRO and Country Manager, India, Genpact
Like many other rivers, the Chambal and its tributaries are now impacted by several anthropogenic pressures cumulatively, leading to reduced river flows, reduced groundwater levels, degraded water quality, loss of habitats for aquatic species, water scarcity for communities and other dependent flora and fauna.
 
Over the next four years, the project will work towards enhancing the understanding of environmental flows (quantity, quality and timing of freshwater flows) in key rivers of the Chambal and Yamuna basin. The project, involving more than 50,000 farmers, will demonstrate models to enhance flows through improved agricultural water management in the Parbati-Sindh and Kali rivers, which are part of Chambal-Yamuna-Ganga system in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It will also empower Mitras (friends of rivers) for conservation of habitats of Ganga river dolphins and gharials in an 80 km stretch of the Chambal-Yamuna rivers and work towards stabilising their populations. 
 
The event included an exhibition and demonstration of a package of practices on agricultural water management for enhancing water use efficiency and soil health. This was followed by a Choupal (dialogue) where farming communities from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh shared their experiences and discussed how bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides benefit agricultural practices and soil health and help save and restore water in rivers. Additionally, community members from riparian villages along the Chambal-Yamuna rivers shared their experiences and suggestions to design and initiate community-led conservation activities for key species such as turtles, gharials, and Ganga river dolphins.
 
About Genpact
Genpact (NYSE: G) is a global advanced technology services and solutions company that delivers unparalleled value for leading enterprises. Powered by our mix of deep business knowledge, operational excellence, and innovation, we help companies across industries reimagine finance and risk, supply chains, core industry operations, and more. We use our innate curiosity and courage to relentlessly pursue a world that works better for people. Get to know us at genpact.com and on LinkedInXYouTube, and Facebook.
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