New Delhi: The formation of an interstate monitoring committee comprising representatives from Delhi, UP and Haryana to develop an institutional framework for the long-term restoration of Yamuna floodplain has emerged as one of the key recommendations for inclusion in the draft Yamuna rejuvenation plan being prepared by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).The proposal was discussed during the recent ‘Yamuna Dialogue’, where experts from diverse fields deliberated on strategies for restoring the river and its floodplain.“The discussions focused on six interconnected themes critical to the rejuvenation effort: floodplain-responsive planning, ghat development, nature-based solutions, water quality and drainage management, sustainable financing models and governance mechanisms,” officials said.Emphasising the need for coordinated governance, an official said, “The discussions highlighted the importance of creating an institutional mechanism that ensures coordinated decision-making among the riparian states while balancing ecological conservation with urban development, as Yamuna serves the needs of all these states.”Drawing on national and international best practices, participants recommended practical and implementable measures that can be adapted to Yamuna’s unique ecological and hydrological characteristics. Officials said the recommendations from the dialogue will be incorporated into the draft plan, which is scheduled to be finalised during an international summit in Sept.The summit will bring together experts from across the world to help shape a comprehensive, long-term roadmap for the restoration and sustainable management of Yamuna riverfront and its floodplain.“Following LG TS Sandhu’s Yamuna floodplain visits, review meetings, and directions for comprehensive multi-sectoral stakeholder consultations, DDA has been conducting stakeholder consultation workshops underYamuna Dialogues. Earlier, LG had directed authorities to tackle river pollution through a multi-dimensional approach,” an official said.As part of the initiative, DDA convened policymakers, govt agencies, environmental experts, financial institutions, scientists, urban planners, landscape architects, technical institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on the ecological, planning, institutional and financial dimensions of restoring and sustaining Yamuna floodplain.DDA has divided the restoration of Yamuna into 11 major ecological restoration projects covering more than 1,600 hectares. Work has already been completed on projects such as Asita East (193 hectares), Asita West (Yamuna Vatika) and Kalindi Aviral (100 hectares), which feature revived green spaces and restored water bodies.Work is currently underway on the Kalindi Biodiversity Park, Yamuna Vanasthali, and the transformation of the Yamuna Bazar stretch into a heritage and cultural hub.As part of the restoration efforts, more than 70 lakh native trees and 10 million riverine grasses and wetland species have been planted. In addition, 35 new wetlands with a combined water-holding capacity of 1,420 million litres have been developed to strengthen the floodplain’s ecological resilience.
