Tue Mar 18 09:34:41 UTC 2025: ## Sacred River Betwa on the Brink of Extinction in Madhya Pradesh

**Raisen, Madhya Pradesh:** The Betwa River, a vital lifeline and historical landmark in Madhya Pradesh, is drying up, sparking outrage and concern among locals and environmentalists. Once a perennial river flowing from the Vindhya ranges, its source has now completely dried up, leaving behind cracked earth and a stark testament to environmental negligence.

For centuries, the Betwa, also known as Vetravati, has held cultural and religious significance, mentioned in ancient texts like the Vedas and the Mahabharata. However, illegal borewells, rampant deforestation, and unchecked sand mining have severely depleted the river’s water sources. A cement wall built near its origin further restricts its natural flow.

Local residents and activists describe a systematic decimation of the river. Illegal water extraction for irrigation and construction has left the riverbed parched, affecting agriculture and the livelihoods of countless farmers who rely on its waters. The once-lush forests that served as the river’s natural catchment area have been felled, exacerbating the crisis.

Gopal Das Maharaj, a custodian of the river’s legacy, laments the disappearance of a historic stepwell at the river’s origin. Environmentalist Rakesh Meena accuses authorities of complicity, calling the situation a “conspiracy to kill Betwa.” Social worker Brijendra Pandey recalls decades of inaction despite previous appeals for intervention.

Farmers like Laxman Meena express despair, witnessing their fields wither as the river, once their lifeblood, fades away. While the district Collector, Arun Kumar Vishwakarma, promises government action, the grim reality is that the Betwa is facing imminent extinction. The article concludes with a stark warning: unless immediate and decisive action is taken to conserve and restore the river, Betwa will become a mere footnote in history books, leaving behind a legacy of ecological devastation and lost heritage.

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