Godavari, India’s second longest river, once perennial, now runs practically dry for most of the year. The “Aviral Godavari Committee” was formed in 2022 as a multi-stage project to restore the Godavari back to her perennial glory. ‘Aviral’ means uninterrupted or continuous. The project aims to ensure an uninterrupted flow of water for all living beings dependent on the Godavari.
For this initiative, The Satsang Foundation has partnered with the Namami Goda Foundation, Tarun Bharat Sangh, Sakal Social Foundation, many other Civil Society Organizations, government departments, and most importantly with the ordinary citizens who are concerned about our living heritage and the lifelines of our civilization that are disappearing.
The Aviral Godavari Committee began its first phase by working towards reviving the greenery of Brahmagiri, the origin of the Godavari, and rebuilding the capacity for water retention and groundwater recharge so that the streams and springs start flowing again. Catering to the area between Brahmagiri and Ramatitrha, the first phase includes improving watershed management through the restoration of existing water bodies and the creation of new ones; using ‘Loose Boulder Dams’ or Bandharas to stem water flow; reforestation activities to attract rainfall, and prevent soil erosion and silting of water bodies; and developing strong community ownership and building a community network fostering sustainable livelihoods and ensuring local maintenance and preservation of nature and infrastructure. We aim for the first phase to be completed before the next Kumbh Mela at Trimbakeshwar in July 2027.
