Yamuna Manthan 2025: Humari Yamuna Hum Bachayein

Yamuna, a lifeline for millions in the National Capital Region and beyond, has long suffered from severe water scarcity, particularly in its stretch through Delhi, and egregious pollution.

The tagline of the Yamuna Manthan -- ‘Hamari Yamuna, Hum Bachayein’ -- reflects a strong belief in citizen-led action for environmental sustainability rather than just depending on government action.

This was the theme of the conference, ‘Yamuna Manthan 2025’, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi.

The conference brought together leading experts, policymakers, educators, citizens and communities to forge a new vision for the beleaguered River Yamuna. Organized by MCWR, (MAS Council for Water and River). The event aims to transform the discourse surrounding Yamuna, shifting it from being a mere pollution control measure to a comprehensive strategy for water augmentation and sustainable management.

Yamuna Manthan 2025 challenges conventional thinking by exploring the transformative concept of viewing the River Yamuna as a 'lake river'. This innovative approach envisions segments of the Yamuna as dynamic water reservoirs, capable of storing water for various purposes, rather than solely a channel for water to flow through. This paradigm shift holds immense potential for bolstering Delhi's water security, recharging groundwater, and creating a vibrant ecological corridor, particularly given the increasing strain on existing water resources.

Yamuna, a lifeline for millions in the National Capital Region and beyond, has long suffered from severe water scarcity, particularly in its stretch through Delhi, and egregious pollution. While efforts have focused on treating wastewater, the core challenge of insufficient water flow persists, hindering the river's ecological restoration and its capacity to serve as a vital freshwater resource.

The Conference had three segments. The first session was e-Flow and River Rejuvenation; the second on ‘Floodplain Development, River Health and Community’ and the third, attended by representatives from schools and civil society organizations, focused on ways of deepening Yamuna’s presence in schools especially in view of Delhi governments recently launched initiative ‘Maa Yamuna Swachchta Abhiyan’.

The conference featured a significant publication that highlights the invaluable contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to water management in India. Often recognized as the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar also played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's water policies, advocating for equitable water distribution, the development of multi-purpose river valley projects, and the establishment of key institutions like the CWC, DVC, etc.

The conference concluded with discussions on the Delhi Government-proposed Maa Yamuna Swachchta Abhiyan, a school-based initiative to increase children's sensitivity towards the need to revive the holy river.