UP govt approves project to revive Mala river and biodiversity

PILIBHIT: UP govt approved a project to revive the Mala River and its associated biodiversity within the core area of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) over a 25 km stretch on Friday.
State principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Sanjay Shrivastav said, “the govt sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the project, which originally had an outlay of Rs 7.9 crore.The proposal, submitted by PTR divisional forest officer Manish Singh in May, highlighted the urgent need to address the drying river channel, degradation of aquatic habitats, invasive species infestation, and overall impact on flora and fauna.”
The Mala River, a perennial lifeline of PTR, originates from the Surai forest range in Uttarakhand and flows 150 km, including a 25 km stretch through PTR, before meeting the Devha River.
PTR DFO Manish Singh said, “the project includes baseline and GIS mapping of the Mala River floodplain, biodiversity assessment and bio-monitoring of rivers and wetlands in PTR, a five-year strategic conservation plan for Pilibhit’s turtle species, river rejuvenation, habitat management, establishment of a river monitoring and conservation breeding center, and capacity-building programs for riverine communities and frontline forest staff.
“The Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation (TSA) will provide technical assistance for conservation, breeding, and research programs for turtle species and other aquatic wildlife. Hydrology experts from the Indian Institute of Hydrology will be involved in the scientific rejuvenation of the river,” he added.
TSA Director Dr. Shailendra Singh said, “Pilibhit’s wetlands are home to 13 turtle species, 11 of which are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, with most found in the Mala River.The decline of native flora due to insufficient water levels, leading to the spread of invasive species like water hyacinth and Sapium sebiferum. These invaders thrive in shallow, slow-flowing water and are beginning to colonize areas within the Mala swamp, particularly in the Garha forest block of PTR.
“The springtime paddy cultivation nearby exacerbates groundwater depletion, essential for sustaining the Mala River's flow during the dry season. Reliance on bore wells for irrigation further depletes groundwater, endangering small springs that once nourished the Mala's catchment area. This desiccation threatens the ecosystem, particularly flagship species like the tiger and swamp deer in Pilibhit,” he added.