River rejuvenation of small rivers

The chapter analyses the major challenges before the rejuvenation of rivers in India. It is based on two objectives – first, to understand the wide range of problems faced by the small rivers, such as pollution, sand mining, dams and land encroachment; and second, to map the role of river dependent communities in river conservation and rejuvenation. It takes the case-study of Champa, a small tributary of Ganga in Bhagalpur (Bihar) as a microcosm to demonstrate the major problems faced by small rivers. The chapter uses the analytical framework of ‘riverhood&s; (the state of being a river), which is part of the new water justice movements (NWJMs) worldwide and its application to the empirical study of the River Champa. The chapter underlines the lessons learnt from the ethnographic research such as the paradox of abundance and scarcity of water, rampant sand mining and riverbed encroachment in this region. The multiple consequences of degenerating rivers range from falling groundwater levels and increasing seasonal migration to changes in livelihood patterns among fisher people and boat people. The ongoing state-led programmes have limited scope for community participation in river conservation and rejuvenation.