India News

Sadhguru’s Draft Policy for River Revitalisation: plant trees along river sides

Published

9 years ago

October 20, 2017

By Rashme Sehgal

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s recently concluded ‘Rally for Rivers’ is an attempt to come up with a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate our rivers. He criss-crossed across sixteen states in an attempt to build up a mass movement to help farmers and state governments get involved in tree plantation as being one key areas through which river rejuvenation can take place.

For the first time, he elaborates on the draft policy presented to the Ministry of Water Resources on what steps need to be taken for river revitalization.

Q. What does your draft policy on River Revitalization focus on?

A. The draft policy for river revitalization focuses on the health and life of the river as a living entity. It proposes tree plantation along the river sides as a means for “source augmentation”.

Q. What does source augmentation mean?

A. It means an overall increase in the actual quantum of water in the river.

Q. What does the policy of giving missed calls indicate and why was so much focus given on this? Was it an attempt to create a wider participation base?

A. If we aggressively implement this policy, it will take anywhere between 15-25 years to get a 15-20% rise in the river flows. This means four to five governments would have come and gone by the natural democratic process. How do we keep these five governments in the next twenty-five years focused on one policy? This is why the missed call. If a large part of the electorate votes for it, no government is going to ignore it. Not just this government, but whoever comes to power in the next twenty-five years. It will be in all of their minds that the entire nation wants this long-term policy for the well-being of our rivers.

Q. You have been quoted as suggesting we have 20,000 km of riverine land which can be used for river-based agriculture. Does this land include the flood plains of our rivers which are inviolate because this land is where our rivers are allowed to regenerate themselves and which are being violated by systematic encroachments?

A. The length of all major rivers put together makes up around 20,000 km. The land that we are proposing to implement the solution is laterally 1 km on either sides of the river. So if the solution were to be implemented for all the large rivers from their origin to the estuaries where they meet the seas it will be 40,000 sq km. The solution of transitioning from regular farming to tree-based agriculture is only in the privately owned farm lands. On government owned lands and the land that belongs to the river, appropriate native and endemic vegetation will be planted, ranging from trees, shrubs and grasses based on scientific studies. But to begin with, we are suggesting tree plantation at a 1 km distance to exhibit the results of the solution we propose, especially the effects of tree-based farming for farmers.

We are not asking for resettlement or removal of already existing villages or other establishments in this region. We are only suggesting a change in cultivation pattern in the target area from field crops to tree-based crops. This suggestion is based on observed improvement in our farmer’s income when shifted from field-based crops to tree-based crops. We at Isha have been working with a group of 1000 farmers, and some of them have transitioned to tree-based farming and realized better incomes. To begin with, we are suggesting that governments demonstrate this model initially in a continuous 100 km stretch to see its impact. Once this model has its impact on the river and farmers’ livelihood, it will have the acceptance and willingness of farmers and hence may expand organically in a few years’ time.

Planting trees on riversides have varied impact on the river and the soil in the area. Trees are known to improve inland rainfall by seeding the clouds from their evapotranspiration, pollen and other material, curtail soil erosion during floods, stabilize microclimate and improve the groundwater levels.

Q. What are the comprehensive steps you have outlined for river rejuvenation?

A. The overall solution proposed in the policy recommendation document submitted to the government contains details include developing tree cover by planting trees on a minimum of one kilometre width on either side of the river along the entire river’s length.

For government owned riverside lands and river banks, we recommend plantation of native and endemic trees along with appropriate native shrub land and wetland varieties. This plantation need not be restricted to the 1 km recommendation and can extend beyond these boundaries.

In the case of private land, planting of horticulture and multi-purpose tree plantation by farmers and other citizens is suggested. The width of agro-forestry in farm lands is suggested to be as many villages that fall on the minimum of one-kilometre lateral distance from the river, as a whole.

The policy recommendations we suggest are towards making these proposed solutions happen. They are broadly classified into specific aspects that are directly related to: revitalization of river flow; engaging and involving all the communities that will be affected by the policy changes; de-risking all the farmers who are the majority stakeholders in this project, in target areas when they transition from one type of farming to another; and coordinated institutional functioning of government ministries and departments.

In the detailed approach for implementation we detail how the proposed 1 km tree-based farming for farm land and afforestation of entire government land beside rivers can be implemented. The implementation plan details our economics of tree farming for farmers, the forward and backward linkages required to make the economics happen, the roles and responsibilities of all the stakeholders – the farmers, industries, government and the larger nation as consumers of tree-based produce. Along with these the document also covers the scientific basis for the proposed solution.

Q. We have experts like physicist Prof Vikram Soni and water man Rajendra Singh and many others who have emphasised a policy to end encroachments on our river flood plains. Just doing this will allow rivers to regain their flow and allow them to rejuvenate themselves especially during the monsoon months. What do you feel about this?

A. We can suggest prospectively what can happen on the floodplains, but we cannot suggest retrospectively to evict existing settlements. Having the floodplains for rivers themselves would have been great, but the reality is, it is not the case. We have to work within the constraints of the existing land use pattern. We can have restrictive and prohibitive regulations for prospective use of the floodplains. For this to happen we need to first establish the boundaries of what land belongs to the river. Right now we don’t have such a mapping. Even if we were to find that some of the land that belongs to river is being used by farmers, we can only suggest changes in the farmer’s existing land use patterns to move from field crops to tree-based farming.

Q. River interlinking has not worked anywhere in the world? What do you feel about this especially since our government is going ahead with it?

A. Interlinking of rivers is based on the assumption that some river basins have “surplus” water supply while others have a “deficit”, and by linking them, water supply can be more evenly distributed. However, from our interaction with a few scientists, we got to know that paradigm of “surplus” and “deficit” basins is a limited understanding and does not take into consideration varying climatic conditions. For instance, it is observed that the monsoons have weakened since the 1950s in various parts of India and rainfall in parts of the country is now happening for fewer days and often in very intense spells. The “surplus” basins may, in fact, face water stress due to this variation in rainfall.

A few interlinking projects have already rolled out. It would be ideal if we evaluate the economic gains from these projects and weigh them against the loss of natural resource capital, before embarking on new projects. Any new proposal for interlinking must strictly be evaluated on the basis of scientific and environmental merit and long-term sustainability, rather than on the basis of emotions and politics. And while assessing potential benefits, in the context of our tropical climate, we should account for the resultant loss of water via evaporation and ground seepage. In India, rivers are mostly forest-fed; therefore, bringing back the tree cover on either sides of the river is the only long-term sustainable solution to address water scarcity and reduce the impact of floods and droughts.

India News

Delhi deploys 25,000 personnel, installs CCTV cameras ahead of CJP march

More than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Delhi ahead of the CJP’s planned protest march at Connaught Place. Authorities have also imposed restrictions and stepped up CCTV surveillance.

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi has stepped up security ahead of a planned protest march by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with more than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed and additional surveillance measures introduced in parts of the national capital.

The planned “Lehra Do Tiranga” march is scheduled to take place at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday, October 16. Authorities have also imposed prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and surrounding areas as part of the security arrangements.

Security tightened across Connaught Place

The security arrangements include the deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, along with the installation of additional CCTV cameras at Central Park and Rajiv Chowk Metro Station.

Prohibitory orders have been imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Connaught Place and nearby areas. Central Park is also scheduled to remain closed for two days, with authorities advising the public to avoid the area during the arrangements.

A high-level meeting chaired by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, attended by senior police officers, was held on Thursday to review preparations ahead of the planned demonstration.

Why CJP is planning the march

The CJP has called the march to protest the arrest of its leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in voter rolls.

The party’s protest is centred on its allegations concerning the electoral roll revision process. These are the protesters’ claims and should not be treated as independently established findings.

With Jantar Mantar no longer designated as a protest site, Central Park in Connaught Place has emerged as the proposed location for the fresh demonstration. The protest has also received support from the Aam Aadmi Party and the All India Students’ Association, according to the report.

Traders raise concerns over business disruptions

The heightened security measures have also prompted concerns among traders in the area.

Traders at Palika Bazaar have expressed concern about disruptions during the festive season, pointing to losses associated with previous protests. The concerns reflect the potential impact of repeated demonstrations and security restrictions on commercial activity in central Delhi.

Delhi Police has said it will facilitate peaceful demonstrators selectively while maintaining public order and protecting property.

India News

Mallikarjun Kharge’s ‘Your Friends’ jab at Rahul Gandhi over congress exits

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took a dig at Rahul Gandhi after the Leader of the Opposition reportedly described former party leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ghulam Nabi Azad as among those who had left the Congress.

Published

8 hours ago

October 16, 2026

APNLive Desk

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a pointed remark about former Congress leaders after Rahul Gandhi reportedly described some of those who left the party as people who had been driven by personal interests or fear. The exchange took place during an informal interaction involving young Congress workers, according to a report published on October 15.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reportedly referred to former Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ghulam Nabi Azad while discussing people who had left the party. Kharge responded with a quip that drew attention to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier association with the leaders.

What Rahul Gandhi said about leaders who left Congress

During the interaction, Rahul Gandhi reportedly said that the Congress was now left with committed workers, describing those who remained in the party as ‘babbar sher’ or lions. He alleged that people who were greedy or afraid had left, citing Scindia and Azad as examples.

His reported remarks referred to people who, he suggested, had left because of the attraction of positions and security or fear of investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

These were Rahul Gandhi’s political characterisations of the leaders who left the Congress, rather than independently established explanations for their departures.

Kharge’s response to Rahul Gandhi

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s account, Kharge remarked, “They were all your friends.”

The comment referred to the association Rahul Gandhi had previously shared with some of the leaders who later left the Congress. Rahul Gandhi responded by saying that his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, was present and knew that Scindia was not his friend.

He subsequently reflected on the difficulty of identifying friends and opponents in politics, saying that people who appear to be friends may not necessarily be so, and the reverse may also be true.

Why Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ghulam Nabi Azad were mentioned

Jyotiraditya Scindia left the Congress in 2020 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His departure was followed by a political crisis in Madhya Pradesh that resulted in the fall of the Congress government led by Kamal Nath.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, a veteran Congress leader, resigned from the party in August 2022. In his resignation letter, he criticised Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and the functioning of the party’s internal decision-making process.

Both leaders subsequently became prominent examples in political discussions about senior figures leaving the Congress, although their reasons and circumstances differed.

Rahul Gandhi’s message to young Congress workers

The interaction also focused on protests and political mobilisation. Rahul Gandhi reportedly told young Congress workers that demonstrations and struggles were part of their political training and encouraged them to explore new and creative ways of protesting.

He also suggested holding protests at Jantar Mantar, according to the report.

Congress president Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present during the interaction. Rahul Gandhi also claimed that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was dependent on the next eight to 10 months, though the report did not establish this as an independently verified assessment.

The exchange between Kharge and Rahul Gandhi offered a glimpse into the Congress leadership’s informal discussions, while bringing the departures of Scindia and Azad back into the political conversation.

India News

Delhi Police offers 11-person limit for CJP’s Connaught Place protest

Delhi Police has offered to facilitate a group of 11 people at Central Park in Connaught Place for the Cockroach Janata Party’s October 16 protest, while warning that violations of prohibitory orders could invite legal action.

Published

19 hours ago

October 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi Police has proposed allowing a group of 11 people to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16, ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over alleged electoral fraud.

The police said it could facilitate the group at a suitable place in the park, while appealing to the public not to join the proposed gathering in large numbers. The offer comes amid prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and adjoining areas under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on people to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday with the national flag. The proposed demonstration, named “Lehra Do Tiranga”, follows the detention of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka during an earlier protest.

Why Delhi Police proposed limiting the gathering

In its statement, Delhi Police cited the prevailing security and law-and-order situation in the area. It also referred to information from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) that Central Park would remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav said the NDMC had informed the police about the closure and had asked that no gathering be allowed near the park.

The police also cited representations from trader and market associations in Connaught Place and surrounding areas. According to the police, the associations had raised concerns about unlawful assemblies and their impact on businesses, particularly during the festive season.

Police warned that violations of Section 163 BNSS would invite appropriate legal action. It also stressed that the national flag must be displayed and carried, and the national anthem sung, in the prescribed manner with due respect and dignity.

Delhi High Court declines to stop CJP protest

The proposed gathering reached the Delhi High Court after a vendor sought intervention over concerns about disruption to businesses and public movement in Connaught Place.

On Thursday, the court declined to restrain the CJP from holding the protest. It recorded the police’s assurance that all possible measures under the law would be taken to regulate the gathering and maintain peace.

The petition was filed by a vendor at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place, who raised concerns about the potential impact of the demonstration on traders and others working in the area.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the authorities, told the court that steps had already been taken to regulate the proposed protest.

CJP’s protest call follows detention of party members

Dipke’s October 16 protest call follows earlier demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud. CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in jail on trespass charges after raising the national flag at Jantar Mantar earlier this week, according to the report.

The party has been protesting over alleged electoral fraud and has raised questions about the Election Commission.

Dipke has urged people to gather at Central Park with the national flag, arguing that raising the Tricolour should not be treated as a crime.

The police’s proposal to facilitate a group of 11 people came as the authorities sought to prevent a larger gathering at the site. The CJP’s response to the police’s offer was still awaited in the report published on October 15.