Today River Yamuna faces many challenges including those which impacts its ecological health. Diversion of water for agriculture, deforestation along the river, agricultural run-off and population explosion in urban settlements along the river keeping the STPs under pressure are some of the challenges it faces today. Further to this, the 1994 water sharing agreement which left just 3% of water for the Yamuna River from the Hathnikund barrage, has been just inadequate to meet the e-flow required downstream. (Yamuna needs more water to be released from Hathnikund, Indian Express, 29 January 2021). This session will invite suggestions and explore possible solutions including collaborative approaches for restoring the environmental flow (e-flow) of River Yamuna, which a small part of its earlier flow to even start healing.

One of the many challenges faced by river Yamuna is agricultural run-off. Agricultural runoff is known to contribute to water pollution in rivers through various mechanisms.

Agricultural practices often involve the use of fertilizers, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, to enhance crop growth. When it rains, these excess nutrients can be washed off the fields and enter nearby water bodies, including rivers, through runoff. Elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water can cause eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion in the river(a common sight near Kalindi Kunj barrage), harming aquatic ecosystems. (Excessive fertiliser use is poisoning Yamuna river: CPCB, Hindustan Times, 29 Aug’19). This session will have speakers talk about the possible ways to manage the agricultural runoff in river basin.

In a high level meeting held on Thursday, 17 April, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji issued a call to harness space technology and real-time data to rejuvenate the Yamuna River.

Responding to this visionary appeal, MCWR is hosting a special student ideathon as part of Yamuna Manthan, a national dialogue on the future of the Yamuna, taking place on Friday, 11 July in Delhi.

We invite students and young researchers to submit bold, innovative, and tech-driven ideas to revive the Yamuna.
• Top 10 ideas will be invited to present at the conference
• MCWR will support selected teams with funding and mentorship to turn their ideas into action

An opportunity for college students to make an impact on a national mission where youth, technology, and sustainability come together to restore India’s lifeline and you contribute to #VikshitBharat

Mark the dates–
What to submit: An abstract of the idea in 300 words and 5 slides in .ppt format
Last date for submission: 25 June 2025
Ist Round of Presentation on 1st July 2025
Top 10 ideas to be presented during Yamuna Manthan on 11 July 2025