About cMahanadi - Center for Mahanadi River Research

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Prof. K. Umanaheswar Rao

Director, NIT Rourkela

Following the MoA signed between the consortium of institutes (NIT Rourkela and NIT Raipur), IIT Kanpur (Coordinating Institute) and NRCD, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India on 28th February 2024, to establish “Center for Mahanadi River Basin Management Studies (CM-RBMS)” at NIT Rourkela and NIT Raipur, the institute has formally established the center for Mahanadi River Basin Management Studies (CM-RBMS) at NIT Rourkela. The project on Condition Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP, project awarded by NRDC, Ministry of Jal Shakti) for the Center for Mahanadi River Basin Management Studies (cMahanadi) has been registered at the SRICCE of NIT Rourkela. I feel happy that the cMahanadi (Center for Mahanadi River Basin Management Studies) project is running very successfully and we are thankful to the NRCD (National River Conservation Directorate) and cGanga for recognizing NIT Rourkela’s role in this prestigious initiative through the MoA signed in New Delhi. As we move forward, I would like to formally recognize the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit demonstrated by each project member in their successful collaboration with NIT Raipur and cGanga.

The Mahanadi River, a major river of national significance, holds substantial importance for both the states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and has been a source of sustenance and prosperity for generation. Its waters have irrigated our fields, powered our homes, and sustained diverse ecosystems vital to our environment health. The CAMP project for the Mahanadi River Basin is a testament to our collective effort to drive meaningful change and create lasting impact. Our commitment to excellence and perseverance will be instrumental in overcoming the challenges. I am confident in the efforts provided by all the members involved in the cMahanadi; we are on track to meet all the key milestones in preserving the Mahanadi River for generations to come.

I encourage all the team of cMahanadi to continue to bring their best to the table. Let’s maintain our focus, uphold our quality deliverables, and support each other in achieving our shared objectives and the visions for cMahanadi. Our success is built on collaboration, and every contribution makes a difference. I also extend my deepest gratitude to each team member of cMahanadi of our institute, and NIT Raipur, and cGanga team of IIT Kanpur for your unwavering dedication. Together, we are making strides that will benefit not just our immediate objectives but also the boarder community we serve. Let’s keep up the momentum and continue striving for excellence.

COORDINATOR'S MESSAGE

Prof. Kishanjit Kumar Khatua

Coordinator, c-Mahanadi NIT Rourkela

It is a great honour to assume the position of Centre Head and Coordinator of cMahanadi — the Centre for Mahanadi River Basin Management Studies. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to every member of our team for their dedication, perseverance, and shared commitment to this vital mission.

The Mahanadi River, often regarded as the lifeline of Odisha, holds profound ecological, economic, and cultural importance. For generations, its waters have nourished our farmlands, powered our communities, and sustained diverse ecosystems that are integral to both regional identity and environmental well-being.

However, the river today faces a range of pressing challenges. Seasonal flooding, particularly during the monsoon months, continues to impact lives and livelihoods. Increasing pollution—from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste—is progressively degrading water quality and threatening aquatic biodiversity.

In response to these complex and interlinked issues, cMahanadi was established, drawing inspiration from the nationally acclaimed cGanga initiative. With a shared vision for sustainable river basin management, cMahanadi is committed to the restoration, conservation, and responsible governance of the Mahanadi River system.

Our flagship programme, the Condition Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP), is a multidisciplinary effort that brings together five academic departments, fifteen distinguished faculty members, and a wide network of stakeholders across both state and central agencies.

The formal establishment of cMahanadi was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on 28th February 2024 between NIT Rourkela and NIT Raipur, under the guidance of cGanga. We are fully committed to delivering outcomes across all 10 mission areas, ensuring high quality standards and strict adherence to prescribed timelines.

I urge each of you—researchers, policymakers, staffs, and community members—to remain actively engaged and continue contributing your expertise and passion to this noble cause.

Together, let us ensure that the Mahanadi River remains a resilient, thriving, and life-giving resource for generations to come.

Our Objectives

The objective of the integrated river basin management of River Mahanadi is the restoration and maintenance of wholesomeness of the river system and improvement of its ecological health with due regard to resolution of conflict of interest in anthropogenic land and water uses in the entire river basin. This entails adequate provision for natural resources (e.g. soil, water, energy, flora and fauna) conservation and accommodating the requirements of increasing urbanization, infrastructure development, industrialization and agriculture while ensuring that the following fundamental aspects of the river system are protected:

Continuous river flow (Aviral Dhara)

Unpolluted river flow (Nirmal Dhara)

Longitudinal and lateral connectivity

Adequate space for all essential river functions

Functioning of the river as an ecological entity

Our Mission

Collection and Collation of Information of the River Basin

Gathering comprehensive data about the Mahanadi river basin to support informed decision-making and management strategies.

Aviral Dhara (Continuous River Flow)

Ensuring uninterrupted natural flow of the river to maintain its ecological integrity and support dependent ecosystems.

Nirmal Dhara (Unpolluted River Flow)

Implementing measures to prevent pollution and maintain the purity of the river water for all users.

Ecological Restoration

Rehabilitating degraded ecosystems along the river to restore biodiversity and natural functions.

Sustainable Agriculture

Promoting farming practices that conserve water resources and prevent degradation of the river basin.

Geological Safeguarding

Protecting the geological features of the basin to prevent erosion and maintain natural water flow patterns.

Basin Protection from Natural Disasters

Developing strategies to mitigate the impact of floods and other natural disasters on the river basin.

River Hazard Management

Implementing systems to monitor and respond to potential hazards affecting the river ecosystem.

Environmental Knowledge Building and Sensitization

Educating communities and stakeholders about the importance of river conservation and sustainable practices.