New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- For generations, the Ghonga river was the lifeblood of Belgahana village nestled in the heart of Chhattisgarh in Bilaspur district. Its sparkling waters meandered gracefully, nourishing fields, quenching thirst, and providing livelihood for countless families across 40 villages. Yet, by the mid-2000s, the river had turned into little more than a dry scar on land, threatening Belgahana's culture, economy, and ecology.

Sarpanch Laxmi Kumar Jaiswal recalls how the river used to support the community's culture, economy, and daily life. "Back in my younger days, the river was abundant and flowed generously," Jaiswal says. "But today, the water level has fallen to a minor fraction, threatening our lives." The plight of t...