In a walk by the Gomti, talk about river’s upkeep

Lucknow: Aimed at raising awareness about the Gomti's ecological and cultural significance, a River Walk was organised from Kudia Ghat to Mehndi Ghat on Sunday.
Led by environmentalist Prof Venkatesh Dutta, the walk highlighted the river's role in shaping Lucknow's heritage and the growing pollution crisis. Prof Dutta stressed that many of Gomti's nine tributaries were reduced to drains. "The River Walk aims to reconnect people with Lucknow's living and lost rivers," he said, likening it to Heritage Walks that celebrate the city's architecture.
Environmentalist Ambika, a participant, said, "This is more than just a stroll—it's a call-to-action for protecting our natural heritage." River enthusiast Nand Kishore Verma added, "Community efforts can drive real change and help restore Gomti and its tributaries."
Prof Dutta cited the Kukrail River as a successful example of revival efforts and stressed the need to restore other tributaries like the Behta, Sai, and Jhilangi to enhance the city's water resilience. The Gomti Ecological Task Force also joined the walk and conducted a clean-up drive near Gau Ghat.
"Unlike Heritage Walks, the River Walk blends history with ecology, educating participants about the river's biodiversity, landmarks, and conservation challenges," said Dutta.