Yogi govt reviving Tamsa river and restoring green cover across 5 Purvanchal districts

Lucknow : Driven by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision and resolve, the long-neglected Tamsa River—revered as the lifeline of Purvanchal—is undergoing a remarkable revival. Through the coordinated efforts of the State Mission for Clean Ganga and District Ganga Committees, the initiative is breathing new life into 121 gram panchayats across Azamgarh’s key development blocks, ushering in a new era of greenery and rural prosperity.

Flowing through the spiritual land once graced by Rishi Durvasa, Rishi Chandrama, and Rishi Dattatreya, the Tamsa river is regaining its role as a lifeline for farmers across Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Mau, and Ballia. The project, aligned with CM Yogi’s pledge to restore the sanctity and fertility of these ancient lands, is enhancing irrigation, increasing farm productivity, and opening new avenues for rural livelihoods.

Azamgarh Chief Development Officer Parikshit Khatana shared that the river spans 89 km within Azamgarh and a total of 264 km. A focused campaign is currently underway to ensure its restoration, with top officials from various departments scheduled to convene in Azamgarh on July 29 to accelerate efforts. In addition to boosting agriculture, the revival initiative is promoting environmental sustainability. Azamgarh DFO P.K. Pandey confirmed that plantations are being carried out along both banks of the river, contributing to groundwater recharge and ecological balance.

Beyond its ecological and economic significance, the Tamsa river is steeped in religious heritage. Durvasa Rishi Ashram, at the confluence of the Tamsa and Manjusha rivers, attracts 3–4 lakh devotees annually during festivals like Shravan and Kartik.

Chandrama Rishi Ashram, located where Tamsa meets Silni, sees special celebrations on Ram Navami and Kartik Purnima. Similarly, the Dattatreya Temple, situated at the confluence of the Tamsa and Kunwar rivers, hosts a grand Shivratri fair that draws lakhs of pilgrims.

The revival of Tamsa is thus seen not just as an environmental and agricultural achievement, but a cultural and spiritual renaissance for Purvanchal.