March 17, 2026 : While hearing a public interest litigation concerning the drying up of river origin points in Chhattisgarh, the High Court has directed the state government to constitute a new, more inclusive committee. The Court observed that the existing committee comprises only government officials and lacks broader representation. It instructed that historians, writers, and environmentalists be included in the reconstituted body.

The Court emphasized the need to identify the reasons behind the depletion of river sources in the state and to locate and preserve these origin points. The newly formed committee will also be responsible for the conservation and rejuvenation of 19 rivers across Chhattisgarh.

Additionally, the High Court ordered that all rivers and their origin points must be properly recorded in revenue records. Currently, many of these rivers and their sources are incorrectly classified as drainage channels (nullahs) in official records.

In its response submitted on Monday, the state government informed the Court that a committee had already been constituted for six rivers—Mahanadi, Hasdeo, Tandula, Pairi, Kelo, and Mand. However, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with this committee and directed that it be restructured.

The existing committee includes seven सचिव-level officers and a former Vice-Chancellor, M.K. Verma of Swami Vivekanand Technical University, Durg. The Court noted the absence of public representatives and local participation in the committee, calling it inadequate.

During the hearing of another PIL related to the conservation of the Arpa River and other rivers in the state, the government stated that it is working on a plan to ensure year-round water flow in the Arpa River, along with revival projects for nine major rivers. The state also agreed to form a new committee to ensure identification and protection of river sources.

The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for May 7.