BY Ravindra K Sharma
NEW DELHI — The sun cast a golden glow over the Yamuna River as Delhi’s Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, stood at the riverbank, overseeing the start of a comprehensive cleanup effort aimed at restoring the once-pristine waterway.
For years, the Yamuna had suffered from severe pollution, becoming a toxic river. But a new government initiative announced by CM Gupta marked the beginning of what environmentalists hope will be a revival of the river’s health.
Aarav, a young environmental activist, has long been advocating for the Yamuna’s restoration. Over the years, he organized awareness campaigns, wrote countless letters, and even led volunteer groups to clean sections of the river on weekends. When Gupta unveiled the government’s full-scale plan to rejuvenate the Yamuna, Aarav felt a renewed sense of hope.
Under the initiative, cleanup teams worked around the clock to remove plastic waste, clear debris, and install new filtration systems. Large machines removed sludge from the riverbed while volunteers planted saplings along the banks to prevent soil erosion. Environmental scientists monitored water quality to ensure the river’s gradual recovery.
In a chance encounter at the site, Aarav met CM Gupta, thanking her for her support. “Thank you for listening to us,” he said. “This river is our lifeline.”
Gupta smiled in response. “It’s the people’s voice that drives real change,” she said. “Together, we’ll bring the Yamuna back to life.”
Months into the cleanup effort, the results became evident. The water, once dark and foul-smelling, began to clear. Birds returned to the area, fish swam freely, and the air along the riverbanks grew fresher.
One morning, Aarav watched as children played near the banks of the Yamuna — a sight he had not seen in years. With the river’s restoration underway, it seemed the Yamuna was finally reclaiming its former glory.
