Arvari River
Arvari river is a small river in the Indian state of Rajasthan, notable for having its flow restored after remaining dry for 60 years. The 45 km long river, flows through the Alwar District of Rajasthan. The turnaround started in 1986, when people of Bhanota-Kolyala village with the help of Dr. Rajendra Singh, constructed a Johad, an earthen check dam at the source of the dried river. Following this, villages that lay in its catchment area also built earthen dams, with largest being a 244 m long and 7 m wide. Eventually when the number of dams reached 375, the river started to flow again, and by 1995 it had become a perennial river once again. To help manage the health of the river into the future the “Arvari River Parliament” was formed in 1998, which is one of its kind in India.
Origin
The river Arvari originates in the Sakra Dam near Thanagazi in the Alwar District. The northern catchment area of the river is around Kankad ki dhani. Of the two sources of the river one source originates from Bhairudev Public Wildlife Sanctuary near the village Bhavta Kaliyal and the other source originates near Amka and Jodhula. There is a third stream quite close to second one which gets lost in the ground. The two remaining streams meet near Ajabgarh- Pratapgarh at a place called Palasana ka Pahad. From this point on the river is known as Arvari. This rivulet runs down to the village Hamirpur and meets Nahar Nala, a stream from the west.Another tributary, the Bidila river, comes from Jamwa Ramgargh in Jaipur, and augments the river Arvari. The augmented river Arvari further joins an equally big tributary near Romewala- the tributary having its origin around the village Lothabas in the west and then passing through Jaitpur Gujrun, Rasayawala and Rayanwala regions. By this time, Aravari becomes a river in her own right and feeds its own reservoir, Sainthal Sagar, which came into existence due to a large dam on the same river. Further, the Arvari river meets Sarsa and continues with the name Sanwan. Bhagani and Jahajwali meets at one point which flows further with the name Tildah river. Tildah meets Sanwan. Sanwan further meets Banganga to join further Gambhir. Gambhir meets Yamuna near Prayaraj.
Total basin area: 492 km2.
Total Length of flowing river: 45 km.
Length of river: 35 km.
Total water structures: 402 Nos.
Arvari Sansad (Arvari Parliament)
After community efforts led to a rebirth of the Arvari river in 1996, questions arose on Arvari's ownership. It was a dry, almost dead water course through which water flowed down only during the rainy days in the monsoon months. People mentioned that nobody cared when the river was dry and the villagers were in distress. As the situation changed, the Government of Rajasthan claimed the river. However, the people of the area could not agree with the government's claim. They demanded that it should be owned by the villagers as they were the ones who gave new life to the river. A dilemma of justice arose. The state government awarded contracts for fishing in the Arvari river without knowledge and concern of the people of different villages residing on the bank of the river. When contractors have come for fishing, people were surprised and stopped them from doing so.State government filed a case against local community of Arvari basin for their ownership. High court gave a judgement till the time there is a system by the people who takes care of the Arvari river, the state government will take care. To deal with this people from 72 villages came forward and formed the “Arvari Parliament”. After the formation of Arvari Parliament in place of state government handed over the right and responsibility of the Arvari river to the Arvari Parliament.
Through the community centre water management approach on 26 January 1999 a river parliament of 72 villages with the membership 162 members in the basin area of Arvari River was formed named as the “Arvari Parliament”. The parliament has so far meets twice a year at the interval of six months. First session of Arvari Parliament was held at Hamirpur village on 27 – 28 Jan 1999 under the Chairmanship of Shri. Siddharaj Dadhadha. Recently 36th Session of this Arvari Parliament took place o 23rd Dec. 2018 at Tarun Bharat Sangh, Bheekampura, Alwar district of Rajasthan under the chairmanship of Shri. Ram Pratap Meena. We were privileged to be a part of this 36th Session.
Main purpose of Arvari Parliament is to know and take care of water bodies of Arvari River as the responsibility and plan the usage of water and related issues and concern unanimously.
“Arvari River Child Parliament” was also formed on 20 Aug 2013 so as to inculcate the water culture in next generation.
The Members of the Arvari Parliament were awarded by the then President of India Shri. K. R. Narayanan on 28 March 2000. President visited Arvari river basin and saw the work and awarded the people on river bank for their community work of River Rejuvenation. This is the first time in the history of India where Honorable President awarded people and their work in their area instead of Rastrapati Bhavan.
On 3rd Nov. 2003 Prince Charles from Britain visited to see the community work on Arvari River basin. He walked along with Dr. Rajendra Singh and local community people without any security for four hours.
Due to water harvesting methods, the river has become a perennial river from seasonal one. To ensure that the Arvari remains clean and healthy and also to solve internal disputes, the 70-odd villages in the Arvari basin have also formed the Arvari River Parliament.
Rejuvenation of Arvari River
In 1985, the river was almost lost. There was drought in this region. In 1987 TBS along with the local community started work for water in the river basin of Arvari. As a result of this in 1996 river started flowing throughout the year. Since then it is flowing till date irrespective of rainfall situation.The river was awarded the `International River Prize' in 2004, and in March 2000, then President, K. R. Narayanan visited the area to present the "Down to Earth — Joseph. C. John Award" to the villagers. Dr. Rajendra Singh was awarded the Magsaysay Award in 2001.