Mon Mar 17 14:10:46 UTC 2025: ## Sacred River Betwa Faces Extinction Due to Human Neglect
**Raisen, Madhya Pradesh:** The Betwa River, a historically and culturally significant waterway in Madhya Pradesh, is drying up, raising serious concerns about environmental damage and the loss of a vital resource. Once a perennial river flowing from the Vindhya ranges, its source has now completely dried, leaving behind cracked earth and a stark testament to decades of neglect and unsustainable practices.
Locals and environmentalists blame illegal borewells, rampant deforestation, and unchecked sand mining for the river’s plight. The river’s natural flow has been disrupted by these activities, coupled with the construction of cement barriers near its origin. This has severely depleted the water table and left surrounding villages facing severe water shortages.
Gopal Das Maharaj, a custodian of the river’s legacy, lamented the drying up of a historic stepwell at the river’s source. Environmentalist Rakesh Meena described the situation as a “conspiracy to kill Betwa,” expressing anger and grief at the destruction. Social worker Brijendra Pandey recounted decades of failed appeals to authorities, highlighting the lack of response to previous warnings about the river’s deteriorating condition.
Farmers are also suffering the consequences, with Laxman Meena stating that the river’s complete depletion has left his fields parched and dependent on unpredictable rainfall.
While the district Collector, Arun Kumar Vishwakarma, promised government action, the lack of immediate, concrete steps has fueled fears that the river’s fate is sealed. The article concludes with a stark warning: unless immediate conservation efforts are undertaken, the Betwa River will be reduced to a historical footnote, devastating the region’s heritage and livelihoods.
First Piper 