Thames-Ganges Twinning Update

The River Thames, England, won the Thiess International Riverprize in 2010 for significant achievements and excellence in river restoration over the past sixty years and commenced twinning with the Ganges River, India, threatened by rapid industrialization and populations growth. The International RiverFoundation and Thames Rivers Restoration Trust will work in India with The PEACE Institute, Nadi Mitra Mandalis (Friends of the River groups) and WWF India to develop local, grass-roots river restoration techniques along the Yamuna River.

Planned activities include: planting of local tree species in the river flood plains/riparian areas; creating sewage ponds for prevention of liquid and solid waste from reaching the river; monitoring of river flows and water quality on a regular basis;  restoration of ponds/springs/drains that are linked directly with the river; prevention of exploitative resource extraction (fish / sand) from the river; promotion of ‘river dolphin’ (Platanista gangeticus) and Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and turtles as keystone species for river protection and restoration; promotion of environmental education amongst the rural young targeted at the river’s restoration.

The techniques developed to restore other rivers are also intended to be promoted to other local communities within and outside of India.