Lok Sabha Question No. 1056 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Research Outputs of National River Research Centre
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri K E Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1056

ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## RESEARCH OUTPUTS OF NATIONAL RIVER RESEARCH CENTRE

## 1056.  SHRI K E PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  laid  down  a  clear  roadmap  for  translating  the  research  outputs  of  the National  River  Research  Centre  (NRRC)  into  policy  interventions  and  on-ground  river  rejuvenation programmes across the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  immediate  research  priorities  identified  for  the  NRRC  during  its  initial  phase  including  studies relating to river health assessment, freshwater biodiversity, pollution abatement, sediment management and impacts of climate change;

(c) whether the Union Government would function in coordination with the State Governments, river basin authorities, academic institutions and local communities and if so, the details of the mechanism proposed for such coordination; and

(d) the timelines envisaged by the Government to deliver actionable recommendations and the manner in which these would be monitored and reviewed by the Government?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) The National Centre for River Research (NCRR) is currently working in the project mode assigned to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun through National Mission  for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and National  River  Conservation  Directorate  (NRCD)  in  order  to  cater  to  the  need  of  other  Indian  Rivers through the project 'Assessment of ecological status of select Indian rivers for conservation planning'. The research outputs generated by the Centre regarding river biodiversity and ecological health are shared with respective State Governments. These outputs are intended to serve as technical scientific baselines for onsite interventions in identified polluted river stretches and requisite reforms in existing policy frameworks for river conservation. Currently, the scope of ecological assessment covers nine rivers in the Ganga Basin and seven rivers in other basins in the country.

(b) During  its  initial  phase,  the  NCRR  has  prioritized  ecological  assessment of  select  major  rivers  and floodplain wetlands  across India.  This  comprehensive  research  focus  encompasses  the  systematic evaluation of riparian biodiversity status and identification of various anthropogenic

pressures alongside pollution gradients. The Centre is also dedicated to the mapping of priority stretches for  strategic  conservation  planning  and  evaluating ecological  resilience to  better  understand  the long-term impacts of climate change on river ecosystems.

(c) Coordination is maintained through a collaborative framework  involving State  Governments, implementing agencies, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations. The mechanism for this coordination includes organizing regional workshops, consultative meetings and dissemination of knowledge products  &  research  publications  through  both  print  and  electronic  media.  This  ensures  that ecological findings are integrated into the broader conservation efforts of various stakeholders.

(d) The ecological assessment of the initial sixteen identified rivers and associated wetlands is an ongoing process, with the scope being progressively expanded to other river systems. Findings and recommendations derived from these studies are shared with State Governments for consideration in their respective  rejuvenation  and  implementation  plans.  Besides,  under  National  Water  Quality  Monitoring Programme, Central Pollution Control Board, in association with State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control  Committees,  monitors  the  water  quality  of  rivers  and  water  bodies  through  its  established networks.

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