Cities along rivers urged to include conservation plans

Guidelines in policy document from National Mission for Clean Ganga

Cities situated on river banks will have to incorporate river conservation plans when they prepare their Master Plans, says a policy document from the National Mission for Clean Ganga. The guide document, while spelling out provisions in the National Water Policy that emphasise the need for such plans, also says that these “river-sensitive” plans must be practical and consider questions of encroachment and land ownership. “There is a need for a systematic rehabilitation plan for such encroaching entities that emphasizes on alternative livelihood options in addition to a relocation strategy. Planners should make every attempt to engage with such entities during the preparation of the Master Plan in order to develop empathetic and humane solutions.” the document notes.