Betwa Dries Up Again:1,000 Acres of Forest Cleared for Farming in Catchment, Groundwater Being Pumped Out Near Gomukh Itself

The Betwa River, often referred to as the Ganga of Madhya Pradesh and mentioned in ancient scriptures, has once again dried up at its source. The Gomukh spring, located in Jhiri village of Raisen district—about 25 km from Bhopal on the Kolar Dam road—has dried up for the second time. Until two years ago, this was a perennial natural groundwater-fed source. After the monsoon, the stream reappeared for a few months but has now vanished again. Clearly, the situation has moved beyond the warning stage. A ground visit reveals that the Jhiri area and its surroundings, which were covered with dense forest until a few years ago, have now been converted into large-scale agricultural land. After the Betwa dried up last year, the first local initiative for revival was led by retired income tax officer and Gandhian thinker R.K. Paliwal. Along with villagers and organizations, he launched “Operation Check Dam” and undertook plantation activities. Paliwal says that when a river’s source dries up for the second time, it indicates that the entire catchment system is on the verge of collapse. Revival Efforts Limited to Paper Forest Department and MGNREGA Have Separate Plans Ground Reality Water-Intensive Paddy Cultivation and Excessive Groundwater Extraction Have Worsened the Situation In Jhiri and nearby Behda village and surrounding areas, wheat and paddy are being cultivated on nearly 1,000 acres of land. Irrigation for agriculture is entirely dependent on groundwater, and drinking water needs are also met from the same source. This transformation has directly affected the natural water system on which the Betwa’s source depends. Several small natural water springs exist around the Gomukh area. These springs, along with the region’s groundwater, used to feed water to the Gomukh. Currently, these sources have been deepened and fitted with motor pumps, effectively being used like tube wells. The groundwater that once seeped naturally to the river’s source is now being extracted midway. Experts Cite Causes Human Interference More Responsible Than Natural Factors Dr. Subhash Singh, former Regional Director of the Central Ground Water Board, says that human intervention, more than natural causes, is responsible for the drying of the source. Conversion of forests into farmland in the Jhiri catchment has reduced the soil’s water-retention capacity. Cultivation of water-intensive crops like paddy has led to excessive groundwater extraction. Deepening of natural springs and installation of motor pumps have disrupted natural groundwater flow. Continuous extraction and reduced recharge have broken the natural system that supplied water to the river’s source. Proposed Solutions Forest Department Prepares ₹11.22 Crore Plan, Still on Paper Following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Obedullaganj Forest Division has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth ₹11.22 crore for the Betwa’s source and surrounding areas. The plan includes dense plantation using the Miyawaki technique over 2 hectares, construction of 118 percolation tanks, boulder check dams, contour trenches, and continuous contour trenches. The objective is to retain water in the catchment area, increase groundwater levels, and restore natural flow to the source. The plan has been submitted to the NGT and is currently under consideration at the government level. MGNREGA–Art of Living Basin-Level Plan According to MGNREGA CEO Avi Prasad, a comprehensive river rejuvenation plan has been prepared in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation. The DPR is ready, and work on the project is expected to begin soon.