Uttar Pradesh Revives Noon and Pili Rivers Under ‘One District-One River’ Campaign

In a significant achievement for environmental restoration and community-driven governance, the Uttar Pradesh government announced on Tuesday that two rivers—#NoonRiver in Kanpur and #PiliNadi in Jaunpur—have been successfully revived under its ambitious #OneDistrictOneRiver initiative.

Once reduced to stagnant water channels buried under encroachments and heavy silt, both rivers are now flowing again as active freshwater streams, signaling a major turnaround in regional ecology and public participation.

Noon River: A Symbol of Revival in Kanpur

The Noon river, once the lifeline for regions such as Bilhaur, Shivrajpur, and Chobepur, had over the years faded into obscurity due to unregulated encroachment and pollution. Chosen as a model project under the One District-One River programme, Noon’s rejuvenation began with extensive mapping using drone surveys and satellite imaging, said Kanpur Nagar’s Chief Development Officer, Diksha Jain.

“The survey revealed the river was heavily choked with water hyacinth, filled with silt, and covered by encroachments. A focused campaign was launched in February to restore it,” Jain said.

What makes this project remarkable is its eco-sensitive and employment-friendly approach. Rather than relying on heavy machinery, over 6,000 workers from 58 Gram Panchayats carried out the cleanup manually, covering 23 km of the riverbed. This not only preserved the fragile local ecology but also generated over 23,000 man-days of work under #MGNREGA, with a budget allocation of ₹57 lakh.

Strict action was also taken to halt the flow of industrial effluents, and support poured in from private firms and local industries, reinforcing the revival efforts.

Pili Nadi: Community Spirit in Jaunpur Sparks a Cultural and Ecological Rebirth

In Jaunpur, the restoration of #PiliNadi—a tributary of the #GomtiRiver—has transformed into a model of grassroots involvement and ecological conservation. Stretching 61.2 km, with 43 km flowing through the Jaunpur district, the river originates in Dehuna village (Badlapur tehsil) and weaves through key villages like Bhalua, Khanpur, Bahur, Sirikna, and Rampur, finally merging with the Gomti near Belwan.

District Magistrate Dr Dinesh Chandra Singh hailed the revival as a community-led success story, citing the active involvement of locals in cleaning up and greening a 25-km stretch between June 11 and July 2.

The campaign was infused with cultural significance as well. As part of the effort, an ancient Shiva temple in Deoria village, located on the banks of Pili Nadi, was renovated and restored, aligning the revival work with the auspicious month of Sawan.

“The river holds a deep cultural identity for Jaunpur, and this movement has brought both ecological and spiritual rejuvenation,” said Singh.

Green Mission Along Riverbanks: ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

Adding another layer to the campaign, the government has integrated #EkPedMaaKeNaam, a tree-plantation drive championed by #CMYogiAdityanath. So far, 11,000 saplings have been planted along the revived rivers, with a goal of 51,000 saplings to be planted by August 15. These trees are expected to improve soil fertility, enhance water retention, and provide long-term ecological benefits to nearby agricultural communities.

A Model for Future River Restoration Projects

With the successful revival of both Noon and Pili rivers, the One District-One River campaign is being hailed as a model template for sustainable river rejuvenation in other districts. By combining traditional labor, modern technology, local participation, and cultural engagement, Uttar Pradesh is setting the tone for how river ecosystems can be restored with minimal ecological disruption and maximum community benefit.