When it originates from a lake called Fulhaar Jheel near Madho Tanda east of Pilibhit, the Gomti is a stream. Gradually, it starts growing. Around 100 km away from the point of its origin, this stream is joined by tributaries like Sukheta, Choha and Andhra Choha near Mohammadi Kheri, a tehsil of Lakhimpur Kheri. The stream now turns into a river. But, as it is said, civilisations germinate in the vicinity of a river and threaten its very existence. The Gomti's story is no different. The river is under 'assault' at various points of its journey as it meanders through the 900-km stretch of rich alluvial plains of Uttar Pradesh. From industrial effluents to domestic discharge, the river becomes more of a flowing dumping yard for the 15 smaller and bigger towns, including Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Lucknow, Sultanpur and Jaunpur, in its catchment area. The river is still somewhat clean