Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 25 October 2026, praised the collective efforts of citizens across India to protect natural water sources and maintain cleanliness, singling out communities in Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal district for their role in reviving the near-depleted Heval River. The Prime Minister made these remarks during the 139th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'.

The Heval River Revival

Modi described how residents of villages near the Heval River in Tehri Garhwal, working in coordination with the local administration, launched a sustained campaign after the river's water levels began falling and nearby natural water sources started drying up. The Prime Minister highlighted three core interventions: retaining rainwater, improving groundwater absorption, and planting saplings in large numbers to increase green cover.

'People have come together to revive a river. This river is Heval. A few years ago, water levels in Heval began to fall; nearby natural water resources were also drying up. The local administration and the people of the village together ran a campaign to save the Heval River,' Modi said. He added that as a result, 'the Heval River has got a new lease of life, and it has also helped revive dozens of natural water sources.'

Nature Conservation as a Cultural Value

Modi framed environmental stewardship not as a modern policy imperative but as a continuation of India's ancestral traditions. 'We have a long-standing tradition of respecting nature. Our ancestors taught us that keeping our surroundings clean and caring for water sources is our own responsibility,' he said. He expressed satisfaction at the growing awareness among communities about water conservation and cleanliness.

Notably, this is not the first time Mann Ki Baat has served as a platform to spotlight grassroots environmental initiatives — Modi has regularly used the programme to amplify citizen-led conservation efforts, underlining the Centre's broader Swachh Bharat and water-security messaging.

Link to Upcoming Festivals

The Prime Minister also drew a direct connection between community environmental action and the collective spirit on display during India's major festivals. With Diwali and Chhath Puja approaching in the coming days, he noted that cleanliness campaigns were being organised at various locations. 'It is important that no matter where we live, we keep those places clean. Our small efforts can only bring big changes around us,' he said.

'When society unites with such a spirit, then the guarantee of change becomes certain,' Modi added, urging citizens to carry the momentum of community-driven environmental care into the festive season.

Broader Significance

The Heval River example is emblematic of a wider challenge facing Himalayan river systems, where deforestation, erratic rainfall, and reduced snowmelt are reducing water availability in communities that depend on these sources for drinking water and agriculture. Community-led watershed management, as demonstrated in Tehri Garhwal, is increasingly cited by policymakers and researchers as a cost-effective complement to large-scale infrastructure projects. The Centre's public endorsement of such local models signals continued emphasis on decentralised, participatory conservation as part of its environmental governance approach.

As the festive season arrives, the government's messaging around cleanliness and environmental responsibility is expected to intensify, with Chhath Puja in particular placing visible public spotlight on the cleanliness of riverbanks and water bodies.