A DRYING STREAM, A MOUNTING CRISIS

A DRYING STREAM, A MOUNTING CRISIS

26-MAY-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA------------------------Once regarded as the source of lush greenery for fields, a lifeline for livestock rearers, and the very heartbeat of rural life, the Dharmavati River is today fighting a battle for its own survival. Originating in Kaimur and sustaining dozens of villages across Rohtas, Buxar, and Bhojpur, this river is now slowly drying up due to neglect, silt accumulation, and dwindling water levels.

Amidst the scorching summer heat, the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that, in many places, the Dharmavati now resembles a narrow drain rather than a river. Villagers lament that, due to the lack of proper cleaning and desilting operations for years, the riverbed has become choked with massive deposits of silt, overgrown bushes, and refuse. This obstruction is hindering the natural flow of the stream, causing the water current to weaken continuously.

The direct impact of this crisis is now becoming evident in both agriculture and livestock rearing. Farmers are increasingly compelled to rely on private motor pumps and borewells for irrigation—a necessity that has significantly driven up their operational costs. Meanwhile, for livestock rearers, the task of arranging adequate water for their cattle is fast becoming a formidable challenge. Local elders recall a time when the Dharmavati River held ample water even during the peak summer season. The river served as the primary source for irrigating fields, supported thriving fisheries, and even facilitated small-scale trade carried out via boats. Today, however, the situation has undergone a complete transformation; mounting neglect has plunged this life-sustaining stream into a deep crisis.

Approximately 76 kilometers in length, the Dharmavati River originates in Kaimur and flows through the districts of Rohtas, Buxar, and Bhojpur before finally merging with the Ganges River near Salempur. In ancient times, this river was known as the Kanchan River. It has served not merely as a water source, but also as a cornerstone of the region's cultural and religious identity. The memories of the saint-poet Dariya Saheb, as well as Unwas—the ancestral village of the renowned Hindi litterateur Shivpujan Sahay—are deeply intertwined with the banks of this very river. For years, demands have been raised for the cleaning and restoration of the Dharmavati River, which flows through numerous villages including Bhariyar, Arak, and Yogiya. In the fiscal year 2019–20, a project worth approximately ₹1.30 crore was formulated under the MGNREGA scheme for the desilting and conservation of the river; however, this initiative has yet to move beyond the confines of government files.

In April 2026, local social activists submitted a memorandum to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Chakki, pressing for the river's cleaning, its integration into the 'Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali' (Water-Life-Greenery) scheme, and the creation of employment opportunities. Despite these efforts, no concrete action has been taken to date. Social activist Lalu Turha noted that letters regarding river conservation, water harvesting, and the looming threat of a water crisis had previously been submitted to the District Magistrate; however, no serious initiative has yet been undertaken at the administrative level. Villagers warn that if campaigns for cleaning, desilting, water conservation, and riparian tree plantation are not launched immediately, the Dharmavati River could face total extinction in the coming years. The repercussions of this would not be limited solely to agriculture or animal husbandry; rather, it would significantly heighten the risk of a severe water crisis and ecological imbalance across the entire region.