Tamsa River Rejuvenated in Azamgarh Under Namami Gange

Flowing through the heart of eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Tamsa River, an ancient and ecologically significant tributary of the Ganga, has witnessed a remarkable transformation in Azamgarh district under the Namami Gange Programme.

Once affected by siltation, waste accumulation and encroachments, the river today stands revitalised through coordinated administrative action and strong community participation, emerging as a model for tributary conservation across the Ganga basin.

The Tamsa flows through Ambedkar Nagar, Ayodhya and Azamgarh districts before merging with the Ganga. Recognising its ecological and cultural importance, a special conservation and cleanliness campaign was launched in Azamgarh with the support of the District Ganga Committee and local communities.

Grassroots Planning Across 111 Gram Panchayats

The rejuvenation effort covers an 89-kilometre stretch of the river in Azamgarh, passing through 111 Gram Panchayats.

District Magistrate Shri Ravindra Kumar said district-level meetings were held with all Gram Pradhans to sensitise them about river cleanliness and its long-term environmental and economic benefits.

A structured action plan was prepared focusing on:

• Desilting of shallow stretches

• Removal of garbage and debris from riverbanks

• Measurement of vacant riverbank land and removal of illegal encroachments

• Plantation of fruit-bearing trees along available land parcels

The plantation drive supports ecological restoration while also providing economic value, as produce from fruit-bearing trees can be utilised by Gram Panchayats.

Shramdaan and Awareness Drives Mobilise Communities

Under Namami Gange, coordinated efforts were undertaken with the State Mission for Clean Ganga and the District Ganga Committee to ensure sustained implementation.

Cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns mobilised:

• School children and youth

• Women's self-help groups

• Gram Panchayats

• Voluntary organisations

• Local residents

Through Shramdaan, plastic, polythene and other solid waste were removed from riverbanks and ghats. Sanitation workers were deployed, dustbins installed at key locations, and awareness campaigns promoted segregation of wet and dry waste to prevent dumping into the river.

The initiative has also improved the experience of devotees visiting riverbanks for rituals and sacred bathing, ensuring cleaner and better-managed surroundings.

Environmental Gains and Livelihood Support

Officials emphasised that maintaining the cleanliness of the Tamsa is vital for protecting the purity and uninterrupted flow of the Ganga.

Continuous restoration efforts have contributed to:

• Improved water quality

• Revival of biodiversity

• Enhanced soil fertility

• Better irrigation potential in nearby agricultural areas

Shri Ram Udrej Yadav, Deputy Commissioner (Labour & Employment), highlighted the convergence with MGNREGA, where elected representatives, workers and volunteers jointly contributed to desilting, cleaning and plantation activities, reinforcing a participatory model of river restoration.

A Replicable Model for Tributary Conservation

The rejuvenation of the Tamsa River demonstrates that sustained administrative commitment combined with active public participation can successfully restore river ecosystems.

The initiative stands as a replicable example for the conservation of tributaries and smaller rivers across the Ganga basin.

Efforts to conserve and regularly clean the Tamsa, along with other tributaries of the Ganga, will continue in mission mode under Namami Gange, strengthening the vision of a clean, healthy and sustainable river system.