Devika: North India’s First River Rejuvenation Project

About River Devika: 

• Rises  from the mountains of Suddha Mahadev temple in the Udhampur area of Jammu and Kashmir, and it flows into the Ravi river in western Punjab, which is presently in Pakistan.
• It is  also known as Gupt Ganga.
• It is regarded  by Hindus as the sister of river Ganga.

Project Devika: 

• It aims to rejuvenate the Devika River. 

• 2019:   launched  under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

• Highlights: Encroachments will be removed , natural water bodies will be restored, catchment areas will be developed, and a cremation site will be built along the banks of the Devika River.
• The project also includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants, protection fencing, and landscaping, small hydropower plants and three solar power plants.

Why in news?

Devika, the first river rejuvenation project in North India, is almost finished.