Azamgarh Collector IAS Ravindra Kumar Revives the River Where lord Ram Once Rested

IAS Ravindra Kumar belongs to the 2011 Batch of Uttar Pradesh Cadre and is currently posted as the district collector of Azamgarh,UP. Known for his proactive and transformational leadership, he has once again proved that by reviving Tamsa River of Azamgarh.

“The river is more than a waterbody, it is a lifeline of memory, faith, and sustenance,” says Kumar. Mentioned in the Ramayana and deeply rooted in local sentiment,the Tamsa had become unrecognizable- heavily silted, choked with weeds and polluted with garbage and plastic waste.“Over time, this sacred river fell victim to the very progress it once supported.”

Recognizing both the ecological and cultural significance of the river, Kumar launched a month-long rejuvenation campaign. What began as an administrative project quickly became a people’s movement. “The effort brought together multiple departments and the local community”The Panchayati Raj Department cleared years of waste and aquatic weeds, while the Irrigation Department took up de-silting work to restore the natural flow.Village pradhans,women volunteers and civil society groups also stepped in enthusiastically reclaiming the river as a shared community asset.

Further strengthening the initiative,Infrastructure at the Chandrama Rishi Ashram was simultaneously restored including water units, public washrooms, and visitor pathways to enhance accessibility for devotees and tourists. 

The result was a remarkable transformation,both visual and emotional.The ghats have come alive again with spiritual practices like havans, fairs, and rituals .Additionally Aquatic life has returned,water quality has improved and the area now draws morning walkers,school children and pilgrims admiring nature.

To mark the success,International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21, 2025 at the restored Ghats of the ashram.“This is not a one-time effort” he emphasized.

Under Kumar’s guidance, this campaign is now being scaled into a district-wide mission. He has called on schools, gram panchayats and citizens to adopt and maintain local water bodies.

The revival efforts even drew praise from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Revival of Tamsa River at Chandrama Rishi Ashram shows how when leadership, community and administration work together can reclaim heritage and restore ecological balance for generations to come.