Reflections on Temporal Trends in Water Quality and Climate Variability at Three Degradation Hotspots of Leading Rivers in India

Abstract

River and riparian ecosystem restoration have significantly become the new approaches to reverse the past degradation activities and prevent future losses. Factors such as climate change, clearing of riparian zones, construction on wetlands and degrading river water quality are contributing to deterioration of the river and riparian ecosystem. These activities cumulatively pose challenges to the short and long-term agendas proposed by various organizations. It is important to look for solutions that will help reduce the extent of the degradation caused by the key drivers. The current restoration practices that are taken as the action plans for rejuvenation of rivers and associated riparian zones are not available to achieve the legally mandated goals, which are meant for the improvement of the structure and function of the degraded units.