Dehradun: Dharm Singh Meena, an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 2009 batch (Uttarakhand cadre), was honored with the ‘Eco Warrior Award-2026’ for his innovative model of scientific forest management and the rejuvenation of the Heval River. The award was presented by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, at a ceremony in New Delhi.
Under Meena’s initiative in Tehri Garhwal, river rejuvenation was tackled by focusing on the entire watershed area. The project encompassed 126 water sources, 28 small streams, and 16 recharge zones. A total of 1,58,572 water conservation structures were built, and 20.62 lakh indigenous and water-retaining saplings were planted. These efforts created an estimated groundwater recharge capacity of approximately 43.86 crore liters.
Rather than working solely on the riverbed, the model integrated forests, water sources, streams, recharge areas, and local communities into a unified framework. Scientific catchment management was linked to forest administration to revive drying springs and streams.
To scientifically evaluate the project’s impact, collaborations were established with premier institutions like the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) and IIT Roorkee. Changes in water bodies were systematically monitored through discharge measurements, hydrographs, and hydrological assessments.
The Heval River Rejuvenation Campaign actively engaged local villagers, women, Van Panchayats, and community organizations. By combining spring shed maintenance, invasive species control, livelihood initiatives, and eco-conservation, community participation was significantly boosted.
This model has also served as a foundational blueprint for state-level institutional frameworks, such as the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA).
Upon receiving the award, Dharm Singh Meena attributed the success to his entire team, field staff, and local communities rather than viewing it as a personal achievement. He emphasized that reviving a river requires a holistic approach that protects its source, surrounding forests, and the broader watershed.
