How Nature-Based Solutions Are Helping Rejuvenate India’s Rivers: NMCG Launches New Wetland Projects Along the Yamuna

Team L&M

India’s efforts to revive its rivers are increasingly moving beyond conventional sewage treatment plants towards Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)—an approach that blends engineering with ecological restoration. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has launched two pilot projects along the Yamuna that demonstrate how natural ecosystems can help clean polluted water while supporting biodiversity and climate resilience.

The initiative marks another important milestone in India’s long-term strategy to restore river health across the Ganga basin through sustainable, science-backed interventions.

What Are Nature-Based Solutions?

Nature-Based Solutions use natural ecosystems and ecological processes to solve environmental challenges. Instead of relying solely on energy-intensive treatment systems, NbS harnesses wetlands, vegetation, soil and microorganisms to naturally remove pollutants from water.

For river rejuvenation, this means creating systems that:

• Improve water quality naturally
• Reduce organic pollution
• Restore aquatic ecosystems
• Enhance biodiversity
• Require lower operational costs
• Build resilience against climate change

The NMCG is integrating these ecological methods alongside traditional wastewater treatment infrastructure such as sewage treatment plants (STPs), sewer networks and environmental flow management.

Two Pilot Projects on the Yamuna

The latest projects are being implemented at:

• Shastri Park Drain
• Kailash Nagar Drain

Together, the two projects are designed to treat approximately 10 million litres of wastewater per day (10 MLD) before it enters the Yamuna River.

Unlike conventional treatment plants, these projects are based on constructed wetlands, which imitate the natural purification processes found in marshes and wetlands.

How Constructed Wetlands Work

The treatment systems combine several natural filtration techniques, including:

• Stone masonry structures to regulate water flow
• Rock filters to trap suspended solids
• Aquatic plants that absorb excess nutrients
• Phytoremediation using carefully selected plant species capable of removing pollutants and certain heavy metals

These systems improve dissolved oxygen levels, reduce pollution and restore ecological balance while consuming significantly less energy than conventional treatment methods.

Work Already Underway

Construction activities have already begun at both locations.

At Kailash Nagar Drain, site clearance, desludging and desilting have been completed. Brick lining work is currently in progress, with installation of rock filters planned in the next phase.

Meanwhile, at Shastri Park Drain, preparatory desilting and desludging activities are underway before stone structures, filtration systems and aquatic vegetation are installed.

If successful, these projects could become scalable models for treating polluted urban drains across the Ganga basin.

Building Capacity Alongside Infrastructure

Recognising that technology alone cannot solve river pollution, the NMCG is also investing in knowledge and skill development.

Between August 2025 and March 2026, six specialised training programmes were organised under the Knowledge Sharing and Development Centre (KSDC) initiative.

More than 100 participants from multiple organisations—including State Mission for Clean Ganga, Forest Departments, Irrigation Departments, District Ganga Committees and the Yamuna Task Force—received training in:

• Planning Nature-Based Solutions
• Designing constructed wetlands
• Ecological restoration techniques
• Sustainable river basin management

The programmes also encouraged collaboration among different government agencies involved in river conservation.

River Kali Project Expands the Nature-Based Approach

Beyond the Yamuna, the NMCG has also implemented a constructed wetland project at Khatauli for the rejuvenation of River Kali, an important tributary of the Ganga.

The river receives considerable domestic and industrial wastewater before joining the Ganga basin. The wetland system is designed to reduce pollution close to its source using natural biological processes, improving water quality while lowering energy consumption.

This project reflects the broader objective of integrating ecological restoration into India’s river conservation strategy.

Why This Matters

India’s rivers face growing pressure from rapid urbanisation, untreated wastewater and industrial discharge. While conventional sewage treatment infrastructure remains essential, Nature-Based Solutions offer an important complementary approach.

Constructed wetlands require less energy, involve lower maintenance costs and create habitats that support biodiversity. They also contribute to climate adaptation by making water management systems more resilient.

If these pilot projects deliver the expected results, they could provide a blueprint for river restoration initiatives across India, helping cities manage wastewater more sustainably while restoring the ecological health of rivers.

The Road Ahead

The National Mission for Clean Ganga‘s latest initiatives signal a shift towards integrated river basin management—where engineering solutions work alongside nature rather than replacing it.

As India continues its ambitious river rejuvenation journey, Nature-Based Solutions could become an increasingly important tool in achieving cleaner rivers, healthier ecosystems and more sustainable urban development.