Request for Proposal (RFP)
River Health and Water Dependency Assessment
Betwa River Basin
Date Issued: 09 February 2025
Proposal Submission Deadline: 17 February 2026
Contact Person & Contact Number: Ms. Shivani Singh, Ph: 8808506470,
About Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan (PSSS)
Established in 1996, Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan (PSSS) is a grassroots nonprofit organization working on water security, river conservation, climate resilience, and community-led governance across the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Over nearly three decades, PSSS has worked in more than 1,000 villages, revitalizing traditional water bodies, constructing conservation structures, strengthening local water institutions, and promoting women-led initiatives such as the Jal Saheli cadre. The organization collaborates closely with communities, local governments, and state agencies to promote sustainable and equitable water management.
PSSS now invites proposals from experienced research institutions, consulting agencies, or individual experts to undertake a River Health and Water Dependency Assessment of the Betwa River Basin.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this research is to develop a clear, evidence-based understanding of long-term changes in water dependency, river flow, climate stress, and overall river health in the Betwa River Basin.
The study will provide a baseline, evidence-based assessment of the river’s condition, pressures, and risks, and will generate actionable insights to support river restoration, basin-level water management, advocacy, and policy decision-making.
Key Research Focus Areas
The study will focus on the following core areas:
- Trends in water dependency on the Betwa River across sectors over the last 20 years.
- Impacts of climate variability, drought frequency, and rainfall patterns on river flow and seasonal availability.
- Balance between water availability and demand, and types of emerging scarcity.
- Overall river health across different stretches, including flow alterations, morphology, and ecology.
- Water quality status, pollution loads, sources, and critical degradation hotspots.
- Effectiveness of existing programs, governance mechanisms, and institutional arrangements, and identification of basin-appropriate solutions.
Scope of Work
The selected research agency/institution will be responsible for:
- Long-term climate and drought trend analysis.
- Hydrological assessment of river flow regimes.
- Sector-wise water dependency analysis (agriculture, domestic, drinking water).
- Water availability versus demand assessment.
- Water quality and pollution load assessment.
- Identification of degradation hotspots.
- Review of governance and program effectiveness.
- Development of an integrated river health assessment.
- Preparation of solution-oriented recommendations for basin sustainability.
Expected Deliverables
- Inception report with detailed methodology.
- Climate and drought trend analysis.
- River flow and dependency assessment.
- Water quality and pollution load assessment.
- Demand–supply gap analysis.
- Stretch-wise river health classification and hotspot mapping.
- Draft comprehensive research report.
- Final research report.
- Policy-ready summary and presentation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Proven experience in river basin studies, hydrology, climate research, or water governance.
- Prior work on river flow, drought, or water balance assessments.
- Experience with multidisciplinary teams (hydrologists, climate experts, water quality specialists).
Submission Requirements
Interested agencies/institutions must submit:
1. Technical Proposal
- Understanding of the assignment.
- Proposed methodology.
- Work plan and timelines.
- Team composition and CVs.
- Organizational profile and relevant experience.
2. Financial Proposal
- Itemized budget breakdown.
- Personnel costs.
- Fieldwork and travel expenses.
- Data analysis and reporting costs.
- Applicable taxes and other charges.
Note:
Technical and Financial proposals must be submitted in separate files.
Submission Details
Proposals must be submitted via email before the deadline.
Proposal Submission Deadline: 17 February 2026
Late submissions will not be considered.
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.