Category: Rivers & Ecology | Tags: NGT, Ganga, Nayar River, Jal Jeevan Mission, Biodiversity, Mahseer
Published on: June 23, 2025
The Crisis
In a significant environmental intervention, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Centre and the Uttarakhand government to respond to concerns over the ecological degradation of the Nayar River, a key tributary of the Ganga.
The river is reportedly being overdrawn to support massive water supply schemes, including Har Ghar Jal under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
What’s Happening to the Nayar?
- Over 50 pumping stations extract large volumes of water daily.
- The discharge returning to the river is polluted, causing harm to aquatic biodiversity.
- This has severely affected the Golden Mahseer, an endangered fish species.
Evidence of Depletion
- Studies show that 50% of perennial Himalayan water streams like Nayar have dried or significantly depleted in the last 5 years.
- The river’s natural flow regime is now seasonal, threatening both livelihoods and ecosystems.
NGT’s Action Plan
- Directed notices to:
- Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board
- CPCB
- Biodiversity Boards & Fisheries Department
- Response deadline: August 6, 2025
- Ordered impact assessment on river flow, fish breeding, and pollution metrics.
Why It Matters
This case underscores the conflict between infrastructure development and environmental sustainability. While schemes like Har Ghar Jal are vital, they must not jeopardize critical river ecosystems.
UPSC & Exam Relevance
- GS Paper 3: Environment, Water Resource Management, Biodiversity
- Essay Topics: Development vs. Sustainability, Water Security
- Case Study: River Nayar’s overuse and the endangered Mahseer
Conclusion
Development projects must respect ecological limits. The Nayar crisis reminds us that rivers are not just pipelines, but living ecosystems. Balancing infrastructure goals with environmental ethics is the need of the hour.
Prelims Booster Facts
| Fact Type | Prelims Point |
|---|---|
| River Origin | Nayar River originates from Dudhatoli hills, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand |
| Species in Danger | Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) – endangered under IUCN Red List |
| River Classification | Nayar is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga, part of Himalayan drainage |
| Jal Jeevan Mission | Launched in 2019, aims for Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024 |
| NGT Bench | Matter heard by NGT’s Principal Bench, New Delhi |
| Stream Depletion | 50% of perennial Himalayan tributaries now show signs of drying or pollution |
| Next Hearing | August 6, 2025, deadline for Centre & Uttarakhand govt to file reply |