OVER the past two years, I have had the opportunity to meet with district magistrates (DMs) and chief development officers (CDOs) across 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh (UP), namely, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Lucknow, Hardoi, Rae Bareli, Unnao, Bahraich, Gonda and Mau. These meetings often culminated in day-long workshops on river and wetlands rejuvenation, attended by a diverse array of line officers such as sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs), deputy collectors, block development officers (BDOs) and engineers.