This report, prepared by the union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, introduces urban river water conservation and its importance in mainstream urban planning. The report goes into great depth to explain the current state of rivers, and their future impact to cities and the ecosystem. Floodplains in cities undergo immense pressure from unauthorised constructions and landfill activities, which in turn deteriorate the biodiversity of rivers and destroy native species of plants and animals that support and thrive from this ecosystem. This exploitation leads to increased frequency of floods during the monsoons and unusually low water levels throughout the year, not leaving enough time for groundwater aquifers to recharge.

The report highlights the high amount of industrial wastewater produced in the city in comparison to the amount of natural river water and a need for that imbalance to be improved. It provides strategies and regulations that could enhance the life of rivers by conserving their environments and restricting activities in zones closer to the flood plains, called the River Zonal Development Plan. The report suggests decentralisation of the approach to river rejuvenation for urban planning to be more sustainable and states that, “It is high-time to prioritise our water resources sustainability and think for the environmental security; else our future might face a serious crisis on water. Life is important, but survival in the 21st century should be equal for all.”