Setting the Context
Flowing through the heart of Southern India, the Tungabhadra River stands as one of the most significant tributaries of the Krishna River system, formed by the union of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers originating in the Western Ghats.
The Tungabhadra’s relevance is deeply tied to the rich cultural heritage of India, most notably in the ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that flourished along its banks.
The river’s waters were once harnessed for one of India’s most advanced ancient irrigation systems, sustaining rice fields, coconut groves, and vibrant trade. Even today, the Tungabhadra Dam serves as a major source of hydroelectric power and irrigation for over a dozen districts.
Rapid urbanization, unchecked industrial discharge, and increasing domestic sewage generation have turned sections of the river into channels of toxic waste.
Beyond environmental concerns, the river’s deterioration threatens the climate resilience of the cities along its course, exposing communities to more frequent urban floods, waterborne diseases, and groundwater contamination.
Key Problems Facing the Tungabhadra River
Despite its cultural, economic, and ecological importance, the Tungabhadra River today faces a multi-dimensional environmental crisis. These issues stem from a combination of inadequate policy enforcement, poor waste management systems, and rapid urban expansion.
Sewage and Wastewater Pollution
One of the most critical challenges is the discharge of untreated domestic sewage from urban settlements along the river’s banks. Cities like Hospet, Ballari, and Mantralayam produce thousands of litres of sewage daily, yet the sewage treatment capacity is severely inadequate.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified multiple pollution hotspots on the Tungabhadra, where Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels far exceed permissible limits—an indicator of high organic pollution.
These untreated discharges contribute to fecal coliform contamination, making the water unfit for bathing, let alone drinking or irrigation.
Solid Waste Dumping
Another major threat is indiscriminate solid waste dumping along the riverbanks. Plastic bags, food wrappers, biomedical waste, and construction debris from towns like Harihar and Siruguppa are regularly dumped into or near the river.
This infographic provides a comprehensive snapshot of the Tungabhadra River, detailing its origin, length, basin area, tributaries, and cultural-historical significance. It also emphasizes the river’s connection to Vijayanagara heritage, agricultural importance, and hydroelectric infrastructure like the Tungabhadra Dam.
According to the State Pollution Control Boards, more than 60 tonnes of solid waste are generated daily in these areas, much of which lacks formal collection and ends up in the river.
In several cases, municipal waste management systems are either non-operational or non-existent, leading to severe ecological stress and water flow obstruction.
Water Quality Degradation
The cumulative effect of sewage and solid waste is a drastic decline in water quality. Studies from the National Institute of Hydrology indicate that the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels in parts of the Tungabhadra fall below the healthy threshold of 5 mg/L.
Simultaneously, the presence of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury has been recorded in river sediments and aquatic fauna, largely attributed to unregulated industrial effluents.
Loss of Biodiversity
Historically, the Tungabhadra supported a rich aquatic biodiversity, including native fish species like Labeo rohita and Catla catla. But now, habitat fragmentation and water pollution have caused a sharp decline in fish populations.
Riverbank Encroachment
Urban pressure has led to widespread encroachment of riverbanks in cities like Kurnool and Hospet, where informal settlements, commercial structures, and illegal dumping sites occupy what was once floodplain.
According to a recent survey by the Karnataka Urban Development Department, over 45% of riverbank land near major urban zones has been encroached.
This not only narrows the natural flow of the river, but also eliminates the buffer zone that could otherwise absorb excess water during floods—exacerbating urban flooding during monsoons.
Groundwater Contamination
The final—and often overlooked—problem is groundwater contamination. Excess nitrate levels, biological contamination, and trace metals have been found in wells and boreholes located near the Tungabhadra.
As groundwater serves as the primary source of drinking water in rural areas, this poses serious public health risks, especially to vulnerable communities lacking access to treated piped water.
Consequences of River Neglect
The environmental degradation of the Tungabhadra River is not an isolated ecological issue — it is a growing humanitarian crisis.
Public Health Risks
Pollution in the Tungabhadra has led to a spike in waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera, particularly in rural areas lacking proper water treatment facilities.
This map visually illustrates the major river systems in South India, with the Tungabhadra River shown as a key tributary of the Krishna River, flowing through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It highlights the interconnectivity of rivers like Godavari, Bhima, Pennar, and Cauvery, offering geographical context for the Tungabhadra’s path.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has acknowledged increasing cases of skin rashes, gastrointestinal infections, and respiratory ailments in districts along the river basin. Inhabitants relying on contaminated groundwater and river water for daily use are particularly vulnerable.
Further, open defecation in certain rural areas continues to contaminate surface water, contributing to the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in the river ecosystem.
Increased Urban Flooding
The narrowing of river channels due to encroachment and siltation has significantly reduced the Tungabhadra’s capacity to handle seasonal rainfall and excess runoff. In recent years, towns like Kurnool and Hospet have experienced flash floods during monsoon seasons, resulting in loss of life, displacement, and destruction of property.
A report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) states that the disruption of natural drainage paths and floodplains has worsened urban flooding patterns in South Indian cities, directly linking this to river mismanagement.
Economic Losses
The economic costs of neglecting the Tungabhadra are multifold. Agricultural output in the basin has declined due to poor irrigation water quality, affecting staple crops such as paddy and sugarcane.
The Ministry of Agriculture has reported rising input costs for farmers who now need to invest in filtration systems or source water from elsewhere.
Additionally, the tourism potential of heritage cities like Hampi — a UNESCO World Heritage site — is undermined by foul-smelling, visibly polluted water and unclean riverfronts.
Social Inequality
The impacts of river degradation are disproportionately borne by low-income groups, including slum dwellers, daily wage laborers, and small farmers. Many of these communities reside along riverbanks in informal settlements, where access to clean water is either costly or non-existent.
The Ministry of Rural Development has flagged issues of water security and sanitation gaps in river basin districts, revealing how lack of access to clean river water exacerbates intergenerational poverty.
Neglecting river ecosystems like the Tungabhadra, therefore, widens urban-rural and rich-poor divides — making ecological restoration not just an environmental issue, but a matter of social justice and equitable development.
Each year of neglect tightens the grip of these outcomes — but equally, each step toward ecological restoration and citizen involvement opens new avenues for regeneration and resilience.
Why Past Efforts Have Failed
Despite multiple interventions over the years, efforts to restore and protect the Tungabhadra River have largely fallen short of their objectives.
While intentions have often been noble and budgets sanctioned under various central and state-level missions, the execution has been fragmented, inconsistent, and lacking in community participation.
Fragmented Responsibilities Among Government Bodies
One of the core issues has been the overlapping and unclear division of roles between different governmental bodies. Water quality monitoring is often under the jurisdiction of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), while land use and encroachment fall under municipal and district administrations.
Meanwhile, flood control is handled by state irrigation departments, and biodiversity concerns are managed by forest departments.
This lack of a unified command structure leads to policy delays, inter-departmental blame shifting, and inefficiencies in river rejuvenation efforts. A report by NITI Aayog on integrated water management highlights how institutional silos have significantly hindered the development of cohesive river basin management plans.
Beautification Over Ecological Restoration
Many past efforts have focused more on aesthetic riverfront development than on solving core environmental problems.
Projects launched under schemes like AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission have often prioritized walkways, lighting, and landscaping over critical issues like sewage interception, pollution control, or biodiversity revival.
Such beautification drives, while visually appealing, are only surface-level fixes that do not address the root causes of river degradation, including toxic effluents, plastic waste, and sediment imbalance.
Lack of Real-Time Public Monitoring Systems
Another major hurdle has been the absence of transparent and real-time monitoring mechanisms. Most pollution data is either outdated or unavailable to the public, reducing accountability and citizen engagement.
According to the National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC), there are still gaps in the deployment of IoT-based sensors and pollution dashboards in rivers beyond the Ganga basin.
Without these tools, it becomes difficult to identify pollution sources, track improvements, or mobilize timely action. Moreover, public trust erodes when data is opaque, leading to apathy and disinterest in civic participation.
Minimal Community Involvement and Ownership
Perhaps the most significant shortcoming has been the failure to involve local communities in a meaningful, sustained way. Projects have often taken a top-down approach, with little attention paid to local knowledge, traditional practices, or livelihood integration.
While NGOs and schools are occasionally invited for clean-up drives, there are no institutionalized programs for long-term citizen engagement, such as Riverkeeper models or eco-volunteer networks.
According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, successful rejuvenation must be built on citizen science, environmental education, and skill-based livelihood creation — all areas where efforts on the Tungabhadra have been insufficient or short-lived.
Inadequate Funding and Follow-Through
Though funding has been allocated under programs like Namami Gange and National River Conservation Plan, these schemes have disproportionately favored rivers in North India.
Southern rivers like Tungabhadra often receive limited attention and fewer resources, despite their critical importance to irrigation, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
Moreover, even when funds are sanctioned, implementation delays, lack of audits, and corruption dilute the impact. Many Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports have flagged under-utilization of environmental funds and poor execution in river-related schemes.
Absence of a Circular Economy Framework
Traditional waste management systems around the Tungabhadra are still largely linear, with little emphasis on recycling, composting, or resource recovery.
Even urban municipal bodies have been slow to implement Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or decentralized waste processing units, missing out on opportunities to turn waste into wealth.
By failing to adopt a circular economy mindset, past initiatives have missed the chance to link river restoration with green jobs, skill development, and livelihood creation, particularly in low-income riverbank communities.
Weak Enforcement of Environmental Laws
Finally, environmental regulations exist — but they are rarely enforced effectively. Several industrial units along the river violate effluent discharge norms with impunity, while illegal sand mining and encroachment continue due to weak legal action and local political interference.
The State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) lack the manpower, technology, and autonomy to perform rigorous, independent inspections. As a result, environmental crimes go unpunished, and ecological damage becomes normalized.
What Needs to Be Done – The Blueprint for Complete River Restoration
The restoration of the Tungabhadra River is not just an environmental imperative but a socio-economic necessity.
A long-term, integrated blueprint must replace fragmented past efforts. This blueprint must embed ecological science, local community engagement, advanced technology, and circular economy principles into one cohesive model.
Zero Untreated Sewage: Interception and Treatment
According to the CPCB Annual Report, most cities along the river—including Hospet, Kurnool, and Mantralayam—either lack sewage treatment plants (STPs) or have outdated infrastructure that fails to meet capacity.
The strategy must include:
- Interception and diversion of sewage lines before they meet the river.
- Upgradation and construction of STPs, as emphasized in Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
- Strict enforcement of BOD and COD norms, monitored by real-time sensor-based systems as recommended by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
These efforts must be publicly monitored through digital dashboards to ensure transparency and accountability.
Solid Waste to Circular Economy: Decentralized Management
Plastic, food waste, and construction debris remain a visible blight on the Tungabhadra’s riverbanks. The solution lies in transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, which transforms waste into resource streams.
Key actions include:
- Establishing Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) at the ward or neighborhood level.
- Supporting community-run composting units to manage organic waste locally.
- Collaborating with recyclers and waste entrepreneurs to create a waste-to-resource marketplace.
These circular economy practices not only reduce landfill pressure but also support Green Jobs, especially for waste pickers and informal sector workers.
Ecological Restoration: Rebuilding River Health
True river revival demands ecological restoration, not just beautification. The Tungabhadra needs wetlands, riparian vegetation, and fish habitats that restore its biological rhythm.
Suggested actions include:
- Creation of urban wetland buffers using treated greywater, as piloted under the National Wetland Atlas.
- Replanting of native plant species along the riverbanks, which can stabilize soil and boost biodiversity.
- Establishment of biodiversity corridors to reconnect fragmented ecosystems along the river’s route, especially in regions like Hampi which have ecological and historical overlap.
Academic partners such as IISc Bengaluru and local universities can play a vital role in conducting baseline biodiversity studies and monitoring ecological improvement.
Community Ownership Models: Engaging Citizens as River Stewards
No river can be revived without the ownership and active participation of its people. Earth5R has demonstrated that community-first models—which train, empower, and engage local residents—create long-term sustainability.
The model should include:
- Launching Riverkeeper Programs, where trained local volunteers become custodians of the river, reporting violations and organizing cleanups.
- Promoting citizen science, where schools and colleges conduct water testing and biodiversity audits using toolkits provided by NGOs like Earth5R.
- Offering Environmental Courses and Certifications in collaboration with institutions such as the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) or TERI, helping people understand and act on river issues.
Transparent Real-Time Data Monitoring: Smart Technology Integration
Monitoring and accountability are the bedrock of successful river rejuvenation. The integration of IoT sensors, remote sensing, and public dashboards is essential for real-time pollution tracking.
Steps to be taken:
- Install automatic water quality monitoring stations along key points of the river, as seen in the Namami Gange Smart Monitoring System.
- Use satellite mapping and drone technology for tracking encroachment and land use changes, supported by agencies like ISRO.
- Create publicly accessible platforms displaying pollution levels, encroachment data, and restoration progress in simple formats.
Such tech-driven transparency not only informs but empowers the public to hold authorities accountable, and can be linked with citizen participation tools like mobile apps or grievance portals.
Institutional Collaboration: Government–CSR–NGO Partnerships
The complexity of river restoration demands multi-stakeholder collaboration. Earth5R’s success in Mumbai’s Mithi River through CSR-backed initiatives, local government partnerships, and grassroots mobilization demonstrates the effectiveness of this tripartite model.
A successful Tungabhadra restoration strategy would include:
- Government leadership in infrastructure and regulation.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding from regional industries under Schedule VII of the Companies Act.
- Execution and training led by Environmental NGOs like Earth5R, which specialize in river cleanup, skill development, and climate education.
These synergistic efforts can build a scalable and replicable model for other river systems in India.
Livelihood Linkages: Green Skills for Local Communities
For restoration efforts to be socially inclusive, they must generate green livelihoods for those living along the river. This includes slum communities, informal waste workers, and unemployed youth.
Livelihood-oriented programs can include:
- Skill development in recycling and composting, supported by the Skill India Mission.
- Jobs in river cleanup, water testing, and biodiversity monitoring.
- Eco-tourism and heritage conservation jobs in regions like Hampi, linking ecological preservation with cultural heritage.
Earth5R’s Skill-to-Green-Jobs pipeline ensures that environmental revival also addresses unemployment and urban inequality—making restoration a socially just movement.
Earth5R BlueCities – The Proven, Scalable Solution
Restoring a river like the Tungabhadra requires more than just policy frameworks and infrastructure investments; it demands a community-driven, data-backed, and replicable approach that integrates environmental restoration with urban resilience and social equity.
This is precisely what the Earth5R BlueCities initiative embodies — a comprehensive model designed to revitalize urban rivers and their communities sustainably.
Community-First Approach: Empowering Citizens as Change Agents
One of the key strengths of the BlueCities model is its focus on building community ownership. Earth5R recognizes that local residents, schools, and civil society groups are the true stewards of any river’s health.
Through capacity building and education, BlueCities empowers citizens with the knowledge and tools to monitor, protect, and restore their waterways.
- Earth5R’s riverkeeper programs train volunteers in water testing, pollution detection, and ecological restoration techniques, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility.
- Collaboration with local schools and universities enables citizen science initiatives, where students participate in data collection and environmental awareness campaigns.
- This hands-on learning connects education with real-world action, supporting programs similar to those advocated by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
By making citizens active partners, BlueCities ensures that restoration efforts are bottom-up, sustainable, and culturally relevant.
Integration of Technology for Real-Time Monitoring
BlueCities leverages advanced technologies like IoT sensors, GIS mapping, and drone surveillance to monitor river health continuously. These tools enable precise identification of pollution sources, encroachment, and ecological changes.
- Real-time water quality monitoring stations provide data on parameters such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), pH, and turbidity, which are displayed on publicly accessible dashboards. This transparency holds polluters accountable and keeps the community informed.
- Satellite imagery and drone data, processed through platforms similar to those developed by ISRO, allow for detailed mapping of river catchments and identification of illegal activities.
- Mobile apps developed by Earth5R facilitate community reporting and grievance redressal, bridging the gap between citizens and local authorities.
Circular Economy and Waste Management Innovations
A cornerstone of BlueCities is embedding circular economy principles in urban waste management to stop pollution at its source.
- Decentralized composting units and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are established in neighborhoods to process organic and recyclable waste locally, reducing the burden on landfills and the river.
- BlueCities works with local waste pickers, upgrading their skills and formalizing their roles, thereby promoting social inclusion and green livelihoods, consistent with the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission and Skill India.
- Innovative waste-to-resource initiatives, such as bio-gas production and recycled construction materials, demonstrate scalable models for sustainable urban waste handling.
This approach not only reduces river pollution but also promotes economic empowerment and environmental justice.
Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Enhancement
The BlueCities model prioritizes ecological health by restoring riparian zones, wetlands, and aquatic habitats. This supports biodiversity while improving natural flood control and groundwater recharge.
- The initiative partners with research institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to design and monitor habitat restoration projects.
- Native tree species are replanted to stabilize riverbanks, improve air quality, and provide habitats for wildlife.
- Creation of green corridors links fragmented habitats, boosting the river ecosystem’s resilience to climate change.
By treating the river as a living system, BlueCities enhances urban environmental quality and citizen well-being.
Scalability and Replicability Across India
The success of BlueCities in pilot locations demonstrates that this model is scalable and adaptable to different urban river systems, including the Tungabhadra basin.
- Detailed documentation and open-source tools developed by Earth5R facilitate replication by other cities and states.
- The initiative’s emphasis on data-driven decision-making and community engagement provides a template for integrated river basin management, as recommended by the National Water Mission.
- BlueCities also supports knowledge-sharing platforms and policy advocacy to mainstream sustainable river restoration in India’s urban development agenda.
The Urgent Choice Before Us
The current state of the Tungabhadra River presents a stark and urgent choice for all stakeholders involved—residents, government agencies, industries, and civil society alike.
Continuing on the path of neglect will only deepen the crisis of water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and public health hazards that have already begun to impact the surrounding communities.
This is where initiatives like the Earth5R BlueCities project become invaluable. By combining scientific expertise, real-time data monitoring, circular economy principles, and inclusive community engagement, Earth5R offers a replicable blueprint that can turn the Tungabhadra’s fortunes around.
Studies by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other authoritative bodies emphasize that without urgent intervention, urban flooding will increase, waterborne diseases will proliferate, and livelihoods—especially of vulnerable communities—will continue to be threatened.
The future of the Tungabhadra River depends on bold leadership, transparent governance, and active citizen participation. As emphasized in the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) framework, river restoration is a shared responsibility—one that requires coordination across sectors and scales.
Every stakeholder must commit to this journey: from government officials implementing regulatory reforms, to corporations investing in sustainable waste management under ESG and CSR mandates, to citizens embracing stewardship of their local water bodies.
Data Snapshot Box: Key Indicators on Tungabhadra River Health
| Indicator | Current Status | Source |
| Sewage Treated (%) | Approximately 40% of sewage treated; large untreated sewage inflow remains | Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Report |
| BOD Level (mg/L) | Average Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels between 6–8 mg/L in urban stretches (exceeds permissible limits of 3 mg/L) | Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) |
| Fecal Coliform Count | Elevated fecal coliform presence indicating sewage contamination | Water Quality Monitoring Report, CPCB |
| Solid Waste Dumping Volume | Over 500 tons of plastic and solid waste dumped monthly near urban riverbanks | Municipal Corporation Waste Management Data |
| Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Levels | DO frequently drops below 3 mg/L, indicating poor water quality | Mysore University Ecological Studies |
| Heavy Metal Contamination | Presence of lead and mercury detected near industrial zones | Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Reports |
| Aquatic Biodiversity Loss (%) | Estimated 40% decline in native fish and amphibian species over past two decades | Local Ecological Surveys, Karnataka Biodiversity Board |
| Riverbank Encroachment (%) | Approximately 25% of riverbanks encroached by informal settlements and illegal construction | Urban Planning Survey, Karnataka Urban Development Department |
| Groundwater Contamination | Elevated nitrate levels detected in wells within 2 km of riverbanks | Groundwater Quality Report, Central Ground Water Board |
Urban Sustainability Opportunities for Tungabhadra River Cities
Waste Management and Circular Economy
The focus on local recycling hubs not only limits solid waste dumping but also generates green jobs for community members, contributing to both economic and environmental benefits. For more on circular economy strategies, see the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Sustainable Mobility and Transport
These measures align with initiatives like the Indian government’s Smart Cities Mission, which encourages the development of clean and efficient urban transport systems. Detailed insights into sustainable urban transport are available at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Urban Green Spaces and Biodiversity
Rehabilitating degraded riverbanks with native vegetation and creating biodiversity corridors can help reverse the sharp decline in aquatic and terrestrial species.
Urban greening initiatives can also support climate resilience by mitigating urban heat island effects. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides best practices on urban biodiversity conservation.
Water Conservation and Management
These techniques reduce dependency on groundwater and river water, helping maintain river flow and quality. Integrating community awareness programs with technical solutions is essential to ensure sustained water management. Learn more about urban water conservation at the Central Ground Water Board.
Carbon Footprint Reduction and Climate Action
Municipalities can adopt policies incentivizing energy-efficient buildings, solar installations, and sustainable industrial practices to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Resources on urban climate action strategies can be found through the Climate Action Tracker.
Citizen Sustainability Engagement
When citizens actively engage in river cleanup drives, training programs, and monitoring efforts, the outcomes become more impactful and sustainable.
Earth5R’s approach strongly emphasizes community involvement, ensuring that environmental stewardship is shared by all stakeholders. For models on citizen engagement, visit Earth5R’s Community Initiatives.
For the river, for the city, and for generations to come—the urgent choice is clear: act decisively, act together, and restore the Tungabhadra to its full vitality.
