The state of rivers throughout the world is a cause for concern. Large rivers like Ganga and Yamuna have been the subject of much attention, but small rivers are usually seen as best as tributaries of something more important but often not considered.

This book draws on interdisciplinary research deploying ‘river rights’ and ‘water justice’ as conceptual frameworks to engage with laws and politics around waterbodies. It underlines the simultaneity of micro and macro aspects to make sense of the complexities around ‘river rejuvenation’ in India.

This book engages with different ideas of rejuvenation, illuminating what goes under the name of rejuvenation, its impacts on the environment and communities dependent on rivers for their livelihood. At the micro level, several case studies offer a framework for understanding the reasons behind dying/degenerating small rivers across the country. At the macro-level, several chapters engage with the impact of laws, policies and role of community in river conservation. The volume also highlights the ongoing programmes such as Namami Mission for Clean Ganga and riverfront development projects.

Editors: Philippe Cullet & Ruchi Shree

Publication Date: 2026

Binding: Hardback

ISBN 9781041158295

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Philippe Cullet and Ruchi Shree

PART I – FRAMING THE DEBATES

1. River Rights – Framing, Recognition and Beyond

Philippe Cullet

2. River Rejuvenation of Small Rivers: Multi-Level Lessons from River Champa (Bhagalpur, Bihar)

Ruchi Shree

PART II – REGULATORY DIMENSIONS

3. River Rejuvenation and Law

Sujith Koonan

4. A More-Than-Human Health Approach to Ensure the Rights of Rivers: The Case of Antibiotics in Household Waste

Lovleen Bhullar

5. From The Chipko Movement to an Emphasis on Hydropower Projects in Uttarakhand: Need to Recognise People’s Rights to Ensure the Protection of Rivers

Shruti Jain

PART III – TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT

6. Understanding a Small and Unknown River of North Bihar: Perspective of Riparian Communities and Their Interpretation of River Rejuvenation

Eklavya Prasad, Nirmalya Choudhury, Kumod Kumar Das, Aparna Dutta, and Aparna Shubhra

7. Reimagining The Koshi’s Flood Management from a River Rights Perspective

Rahul Yaduka

PART IV – RIVER REJUVENATION AND RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS

8. From Free-Flowing Rivers to Walled Urban Riverfronts – How River Rejuvenation Projects Are Changing the River’s Identity

Venkatesh Dutta

9. Riding On River Rejuvenation: Religious Organisations and Stakeholders of Development

Sachin Tiwale and Srirupa Bhattacharya

10. Environmental Flows as Integral Part of River Rejuvenation: The Case of the Hasdeo Sub Basin, Chhattisgarh

Neha Bhadbhade and K. J. Joy

11. Rejuvenation Of Small Rivers in Bihar and Up – Perspectives from the Field

Seetu Tewari, Manoj Singh and Shwetha Ramachandran

Ordering information: This book may be ordered worldwide by visiting the website of Routledge [read more].