The Brahmaputra Board has launched the Landscape Development of the Basistha Riverfront Project in Guwahati to restore a degraded stretch of the Basistha River and create a sustainable public riverfront space.

About the Project

• The Basistha Riverfront Project has been launched by the Brahmaputra Board, functioning under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, near its headquarters at Basistha in Guwahati. 
• The initiative seeks to rejuvenate an environmentally degraded riverbank and improve the ecological health of the river ecosystem.

Key Features

• The project covers nearly 370 metres of the Basistha River adjoining the Brahmaputra Board headquarters. 
• It focuses on riverfront beautification, sanitation improvement, biodiversity enhancement and community participation.
• The project includes landscaping, plantation drives, green recreational spaces, pedestrian-friendly pathways, river-viewing zones and environmentally sensitive architectural features.
• Nature-based riverbank stabilisation measures will be adopted to reduce erosion and improve ecological sustainability.
• Improved solid waste management systems will be established to eliminate indiscriminate dumping of waste along the riverbank.
• The project is expected to be completed within eight months.

Objectives

• Restore degraded river ecosystems, improve urban sanitation, enhance biodiversity, promote sustainable riverfront development, create public recreational spaces and strengthen community ownership of river conservation.

Institutions Involved

• Brahmaputra Board – Nodal implementing agency.
• Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) – Partner for planning and heritage-sensitive riverfront development.

About Basistha River

• Basistha River is an important tributary within the Guwahati urban landscape and forms part of the larger Brahmaputra river system.
• Rapid urbanisation, waste dumping and encroachment have affected its ecological health over the years.

Significance

• Supports Swachh Bharat Mission objectives, improves urban environmental quality, enhances public health, promotes sustainable urban development and serves as a model for river rejuvenation projects in Northeast India.

Exam Hook (Prelims)

Which organisation is collaborating with the Brahmaputra Board in the planning and development of the Basistha Riverfront Rejuvenation Project?
Answer: Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

One-Line Wrap

The Basistha Riverfront Rejuvenation Project showcases how ecological restoration, waste management and community-friendly urban planning can transform degraded river ecosystems into sustainable public assets.