Restoring the Narmada: Bringing Science, Communities, and Nature Together

The Narmada River is much more than a river. It provides water to millions of people, supports farming and fisheries, sustains forests and wildlife, and holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for central India. For generations, people have depended on the river for their food, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

Today, the Narmada is under growing pressure. Pollution, habitat degradation, changing land use, invasive species, and climate change are affecting the health of the river and the people who depend on it. Restoring the Narmada is therefore not only about protecting nature. It is also about improving livelihoods, strengthening food security, conserving biodiversity, and building resilience to climate change.

These challenges formed the focus of the National One-Day Workshop on "Restoration of Inland Aquatic Ecosystems for Ecological and Livelihood Security: Focus on the Narmada River Basin," held on 4 June 2026. The workshop was organized by the Department of Zoology and Applied Aquaculture, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, in collaboration with WorldFish, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) under the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program. Scientists, university researchers, policymakers, development organizations, and community representatives came together to discuss one simple question:

How can we restore the Narmada while improving the lives of the people who depend on it?

The discussions showed that restoring a river is not only about the water flowing through it. Forests, farms, wetlands, fisheries, wildlife, and local communities are all connected. When these systems are healthy, the river is healthy too.

Working Together for River Restoration

One message was clear from the beginning. No single organization can restore a river on its own. Healthy rivers support agriculture, fisheries, groundwater recharge, biodiversity, tourism, and local livelihoods. Protecting these benefits requires cooperation between universities, research organizations, government departments, development partners, and local communities.

An important outcome of the workshop was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WorldFish and Barkatullah University. Supported under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), this partnership will strengthen research, student training, capacity building, and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems in the Narmada Basin. Building strong partnerships today creates a stronger foundation for restoring rivers in the future.

Understanding the Challenges

Every restoration effort begins with understanding the problem. Researchers presented studies from different parts of the basin and discussed the major challenges affecting the Narmada today. These include:

• Habitat degradation and fragmentation
• Changes in natural river flows
• Pollution and sedimentation
• Declining biodiversity
• Spread of invasive species
• Climate change
• Limited information on fisheries resources

Researchers also shared decades of work on fish diversity, river health, habitat mapping, aquatic protected areas, and conservation planning. Several presentations highlighted the importance of documenting small indigenous fish species. Although these species often receive less attention, they contribute significantly to local nutrition and livelihoods. Good science helps us understand where problems exist, what is causing them, and where restoration efforts can make the greatest difference.

Turning Science into Action

Research creates knowledge, but restoration requires action. The workshop showcased several practical tools that can support better planning and decision-making, including:

• GIS and geospatial technologies
• River health assessment tools
• Drone-based fisheries monitoring
• Digital Twin technologies
• Species selection tools for restoration under changing climates
• Landscape optimization tools

These technologies can help identify degraded habitats, monitor river health, and guide restoration investments more effectively. At the same time, participants agreed that technology alone cannot restore rivers. Scientific knowledge must be combined with good policies, local experience, and active community participation.

Looking Beyond the River

One of the most interesting discussions focused on the Riverscape Approach. A river does not function in isolation. Rainfall in forests, farming practices, wetlands, groundwater, and human settlements all influence river health.

The Riverscape Approach recognizes these connections. Instead of restoring only the river channel, it considers the entire landscape. Managing forests, agriculture, wetlands, and water resources together can improve both ecological health and people's livelihoods. This broader perspective is becoming increasingly important as climate change places greater pressure on river systems.

People Are Part of the Solution

Healthy rivers need healthy communities. Scientists can provide evidence and governments can develop policies, but long-term restoration depends on the people who live with the river every day. The workshop highlighted the important roles of women, youth, fishing communities, tribal communities, and other local stakeholders.

Participants emphasized the importance of:

• Community participation
• Fair sharing of benefits
• Local stewardship
• Community-based monitoring
• Inclusive decision-making

Many speakers also highlighted the value of indigenous knowledge. Communities that have lived along the river for generations understand seasonal changes, fish behaviour, wetlands, and local ecosystems. Combining this knowledge with modern science can produce stronger and more practical restoration solutions.

The River Is Also Part of Our Culture

The discussions reminded participants that the Narmada is more than a natural resource. For millions of people, it is part of their culture, traditions, and identity.

Participants discussed how community-led riverfront management, environmentally sensitive ghat development, and public awareness programmes can strengthen people's connection with the river. When people feel connected to a river, protecting it becomes a shared responsibility rather than someone else's job.

Building a Shared Roadmap

The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion involving universities, research organizations, government departments, civil society organizations, and development partners. Participants identified several priorities for future collaboration:

• Conserving biodiversity
• Promoting sustainable fisheries
• Restoring degraded habitats
• Reducing pollution
• Building climate resilience
• Strengthening institutional coordination
• Supporting community participation
• Promoting landscape-based planning

The discussions showed that many of the scientific tools and practical solutions already exist. The next challenge is to apply them at a larger scale and ensure that different organizations work together.

Looking Ahead

The future of the Narmada depends on bringing together science, policy, communities, and culture. The workshop was more than an opportunity to present research. It helped researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community representatives exchange ideas, build partnerships, and identify practical solutions for restoring one of India's most important river systems.

Restoring the Narmada is not only about conserving a river. It is about protecting biodiversity, supporting fisheries, improving livelihoods, strengthening climate resilience, and preserving a river that has shaped the lives of millions of people for centuries. The workshop showed that the knowledge, partnerships, and commitment already exist. The next step is to turn these ideas into action across the basin so that future generations can continue to benefit from a healthy and thriving Narmada.

Authors:

• Gulshan Borah: Project Coordinator, IWMI, New Delhi, India
• Anubhuti Minare: Faculty Member, Department of Zoology and Applied Aquaculture, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India
• Ayan Samaddar: Post Doctoral Fellow, WorldFish, Bhubaneswar, India
• Vipin Vyas: Professor and Head, Department of Zoology and Applied Aquaculture, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India
• Gopal Kumar: Country Coordinator, CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Program - India