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Riding on River Rejuvenation: Religious Organisations and Stakeholders of Development

Sachin Tiwale, Srirupa Bhattacharya

River Rejuvenation and River Rights
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2 April 2026

River rejuvenation projects are increasingly promoted in India to address drought and water scarcity. This chapter examines two urban-focused initiatives led by the Art of Living—on the Kumudvathi River (Karnataka) and the Manjra River (Maharashtra), aimed at improving water supply for Bengaluru and Latur. It shows how “rejuvenation” was narrowly framed, simplifying complex water challenges while enabling alliances between state, religious, and corporate actors. Despite strong support and claims of success, both projects failed to produce measurable improvements in water availability.

Other Publications of the Author(s)

Journal Articles
(Feb, 2026)
(2026)