- Renaming Najafgarh drain to Sahibi River
- Historical maps and records exploration
- National Green Tribunal's query response
- Local environmental concerns addressed
- Delhi's cultural and ecological restoration
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TranscriptIn the heart of Delhi, a significant transformation is underway—a transformation that is not only physical but symbolic of a deeper reclaiming of historical and ecological identity. The Najafgarh drain, a name that for years has denoted an urban canal associated with wastewater and neglect, is on the cusp of being rechristened to its original name, the Sahibi River. This initiative, spearheaded by Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department, is an effort to restore the lost river to its former glory.
The Sahibi River has its origins in the picturesque landscapes of Rajasthan, meandering through Haryana, and finally merging with the sacred Yamuna in Delhi. For decades, the expanse that lies within Delhi's territory has been known as the Najafgarh drain, but historical records unearthed from as far back as eighteen hundred and seven paint a different picture. Documents from that era, listed in the "Environs of Delhi," refer to this water channel as the 'Sabee Nullah,' a name that hints at a time when the river was perhaps more revered and less utilitarian.
The decision to rename the Najafgarh drain to Sahibi River comes in response to a National Green Tribunal query. The tribunal sought clarification on whether the drain was ever known as the Sahibi River and if renaming it could generate public support for its rejuvenation. The move was also catalyzed by a local petition filed by a resident of Kharkhara village in Haryana, who highlighted the river's neglect and the environmental issues resulting from sewage mixing with river water, causing damage to farmland.
This initiative has led to a fascinating exploration of historical maps and records. Maps from eighteen eighty-five depict it as the 'canal of Najafgarh,' and a nineteen hundred and seven document also termed it as the Najafgarh canal. Yet, in the 'River Basin Atlas of India' published by the Central Water Commission in two thousand and twelve, the Sahibi is recognized as one of the tributaries of the Yamuna. However, the stretch from the Dhansa regulator to its confluence with the Yamuna in Delhi remains known as the Najafgarh drain in Irrigation and Flood Control records.
The State Names Authority of Delhi, a twenty-nine-member panel led by the chief minister and the chief secretary as vice-chair, is at the forefront of the renaming process. Proposals go through meticulous scrutiny by a subcommittee before reaching the SNA for final deliberation. The authority's composition, including members of the legislative assembly and officers across multiple state departments, underscores the broad implications of such a change—not just in nomenclature but in the environmental and cultural fabric of the city.
Experts from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage provide insights into the river's past. They recount how the Sahibi was once a vibrant, rain-fed water body that sustained itself throughout the year. Over two centuries of encroachment and agricultural expansion have led to the narrowing of the river and a significant drop in the water table. The Sahibi's transformation into the Najafgarh drain dates back to the eighteen sixties when the natural course of the river downstream of Najafgarh lake was altered to create a canal, a change that set the stage for its present-day identity.
What emerges from this historical journey is a story of a river that has witnessed the ebbs and flows of time, of a river that has served the city in various capacities, and of a river that is now the focus of a collective effort to restore its ecological health and historical significance. The renaming is not just about altering signs and maps; it is about reawakening collective consciousness, about recognizing the intrinsic value of the city’s waterways, and about setting a precedent for water management and heritage conservation in Delhi. It is an affirmation that even as cities evolve, there is immense power in reclaiming the threads of history that define their relationship with the natural world.
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