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Yamuna River Rejuvenation: Towards Integrated Urban Water Governance
Context and Policy Shift The recent alignment between the Delhi state government and the Centre has renewed focus on cleaning the Yamuna River, a key urban waterway burdened by pollution. This initiative complements the broader Namami Gange Programme (NGP) and has potential to become a replicable model for urban river restoration through cooperative federalism. Namami Gange Programme: A Strategic Pivot Launched in 2014, the NGP marks a shift from earlier regulatory models of pollution control (under the Ministry of Environment) to a mission-based executive framework led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. This approach reorients river management toward ecological restoration and integrated planning. Adoption of the River Basin Approach The programme adopts a river basin planning model, drawing from expert institutions like the IITs. This aligns with global best practices, particularly the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR), which pioneered integrated river management in Europe post-1950. Institutional Innovations and Multi-Level Governance The 2016 River Ganga Authorities Order established a layered institutional framework:
Challenges to Subnational Engagement Despite institutional mechanisms, state-level participation remains limited:
Delhi’s Yamuna Initiative: A Policy Microcosm The Yamuna’s restoration efforts in Delhi highlight core governance challenges:
Scalability and Federal Coordination Delhi’s model offers a learning opportunity for developing scalable and federated frameworks. It enables deeper exploration of drivers that can mobilize state-level action and accountability within broader river rejuvenation missions. Learning from International Experience Europe’s environmental response—spurred by events like the Sandoz chemical spill—led to robust institutions and laws, such as the EU Water Framework Directive. Similarly, India’s NGP can evolve by strengthening its intergovernmental mechanisms and fostering institutional partnerships. Conclusion: Towards Holistic Water Governance The Yamuna project can serve as a catalyst for more effective subnational engagement, integrated urban water management, and federal cooperation in environmental governance. If leveraged strategically, it could strengthen India’s broader framework for sustainable water management and environmental federalism. |