Though the Rispana river might appear to be a dying stream carrying waste water, the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) Roorkee has revealed that it is a perennial stream. This was stated in response to information sought under the Right to Information founder-chairperson of Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD), Abhijay Negi. According to Negi, “The NIH Roorkee had assessed the condition of Doon valley’s streams in March this year. In its report the institute has made favorable findings on the revival of streams of Dehradun valley. Further study to facilitate start of the task of rejuvenating the streams would cost about Rs one crore. In the face of continuing construction activities throughout the riverbed and banks of these rivers, the NIH report brings cheer to those campaigning for reviving Dehradun’s rivers as it specifically calls Rispana a perennial stream with a width of 100 metres in its upper catchment area, which loses its waters in its lower catchment areas as it fades away into slums and other kinds of encroachment. The NIH report has also recorded the observations of the locals about the Bindal stream to the effect that till 1980, the springs around the source of Bindal river, were used for domestic uses including drinking water.” MAD will now share a copy of this report with the State Irrigation secretary, Ajai Pradyot, with whom the group has already shared two dossiers on reviving Doon’s streams. It will be recalled that the study by NIH was undertaken on the directions of then Union minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat before he was made the Uttarakhand chief minister earlier this year. Rawat had written to the NIH director asking for the said study, acting on a petition submitted to him by MAD. The condition of the Rispana and Bindal rivers has continued to deteriorate because of encroachment and lack of proper garbage disposal in the city. Earlier this year, on the instructions of the CM, a campaign was undertaken to clear these riverbeds. However, the short term campaign has little effect on the condition of these rivers. It now remains to be seen whether the authorities do the needful for reviving the rivers of Dehradun.