Vadodara citizens urge authorities to adhere to environmental mandates in Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project

By A Representative

A coalition of environmental activists, ecologists, and urban planners in Vadodara has issued an urgent appeal to state and municipal authorities, demanding strict compliance with court-mandated guidelines for the upcoming Vishwamitri River rejuvenation project. Scheduled to commence in March 2025, the initiative aims to mitigate flooding and restore the river, but citizens warn that current plans risk violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders and jeopardizing the river’s fragile ecosystem, home to endangered species like crocodiles and Indian Softshell Turtles.

The group highlights a 2021 NGT order (O.A. No. 228/2020) that defines the Vishwamitri as a living ecosystem requiring protection of floodplains, tributaries, and wildlife habitats. They allege that proposed “desilting” and “re-sectioning” efforts to widen the river contradict the NGT’s Vishwamitri River Action Plan, which prioritizes floodplain demarcation, waste management, and ecological restoration. Fourteen specific locations along the river, including Sama Motnath Bridge and Kala Ghoda Bridge, have been identified as dumping hotspots for hazardous waste, sewage, and construction debris. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has issued repeated show-cause notices since 2017, yet systemic cleanup remains incomplete. Citizens demand priority removal of these legacy wastes and encroachments within the 25-year floodplain.

Emphasizing the river’s role as a habitat for Schedule 1 species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, the letter urges authorities to avoid unnecessary relocation of crocodiles, ensure tagging and release within their home ranges, and prevent overcrowding during rescue operations. Experts stress the need for eco-sensitive practices, including manual excavation in ecologically sensitive zones to avoid heavy machinery damage, stabilizing riverbanks using bamboo fences and coir logs, and documenting pre- and post-intervention conditions to assess ecological impact.

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has faced criticism for “superficial” past efforts, such as token debris removal, which failed to address systemic issues. The coalition warns against repeating these mistakes, quoting the letter: “The river is a natural, living organic system... ‘Out of Sight’ must not mean ‘Out of Mind.’” Signatories, including environmental activist Rohit Prajapati, wetland ecologist Dr. Deepa Gavali, zoologist Dr. Ranjitsinh Devkar, and urban planner Mitesh Panchal, stress the urgency of adhering to legal mandates.

The letter references a 2002 Gujarat High Court order and a 2017 Supreme Court directive requiring authorities to prevent pollution and encroachments, with non-compliance potentially resulting in contempt charges. The coalition has offered to collaborate with authorities to develop a phased action plan, urging immediate steps to halt ecologically damaging practices, publish a detailed project timeline, and engage independent environmental monitors.

No official response has been issued yet by the VMC, SEIAA, or GPCB. The Vishwamitri project’s success is critical for Vadodara, which has faced recurrent floods and biodiversity loss linked to river degradation. As the 2025 project start date approaches, the citizens’ plea underscores the tension between urban development and ecological preservation. How authorities balance these priorities will set a precedent for river conservation in India.

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Click here for text of the appeal

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