The Rapti river has flowed through the heart of Gorakhpur for centuries. It has been a source of life, livelihood, and cultural identity for millions of people across eastern Uttar Pradesh. But over the past two decades, unchecked plastic disposal, industrial waste, and encroachment have taken a devastating toll on this once-pristine river.

When our team began surveying the riverbanks in 2021, what we found was alarming. Plastic bags, bottles, polythene sheets, and domestic waste had accumulated for kilometres. Water quality tests showed dangerously elevated levels of pollutants. Aquatic life had declined sharply. The river was dying — slowly, visibly, and unnecessarily.

Three Years of Action

We launched the Rapti River Restoration Mission in October 2021, bringing together volunteers, schools, local institutions, and community groups. Over three years, the results have been remarkable.

40
Tonnes of Plastic Removed
1,200+
Volunteers Mobilised
18 km
Riverbank Cleaned

What We Found — and Removed

Our clean-up drives have extracted:

  • Over 40 tonnes of single-use plastic waste
  • Tonnes of discarded religious offerings (flowers, idols, polythene bags)
  • Industrial packaging materials from nearby factories
  • Construction debris dumped illegally on the banks
  • Abandoned fishing nets that entangle wildlife

"The Rapti is not a dump. It is a living system. What we throw into it, we throw at ourselves."

— Suresh Yadav, Nature Conservation Lead, PANWS
Volunteers cleaning riverbank
PANWS volunteers and schoolchildren during a Rapti River clean-up drive.

The Results Are Already Showing

Independent water quality tests conducted in October 2024 showed measurable improvement in several key indicators:

  • Dissolved oxygen levels increased by 18% — vital for aquatic life
  • Plastic particle count per litre dropped by 62%
  • Migratory birds returned to a 4-km stretch for the first time in 6 years
  • Local fishermen reported improved fish populations in cleaned sections

"Nature has an extraordinary ability to heal itself — if we simply stop hurting it."

— PANWS Nature Conservation Team

Community and School Partnerships

Fourteen schools now partner with us to conduct monthly riverbank clean-up sessions. Over 3,000 students have participated, earning volunteer certificates and developing a lifelong connection to environmental responsibility.

We also run awareness camps in riverside villages, educating communities about alternative practices for festivals and daily life that do not pollute the river.

The Road Ahead

Our target by 2026 is to extend clean riverbank coverage to 30 km and establish three permanent community monitoring stations that track water quality in real time. We are also advocating with local authorities for a complete ban on single-use plastic within 500 metres of the riverbank.

The Rapti is fighting back. And with your support, it will win.