The Ganges is a historical river in India (Our " Mother River") has been of high religious and cultural significance but in modern times has been threatened by pollutions in various ways. The river is rapidly shrinking due to significant reduction in discharge to the ocean. Although it has India's most cultural and economical importace, the rivers is almost going to die day by day.
More than 200 of factories and tanneries located all over India, basically from Bihar, West Bengal, Varanashi, were found responsible for polluting the river by discharging wastes, garbages in Ganga without taking any measurements or treating those. Not only the Industry is the only source but the alarming volume of wastage which are mostly untreated raw sewage, is another major factor. However, Farms on the Ganga Basin throws chemical fertilizers and pesticides which adds toxic and carcinogenic effects on humanbeings and wildlife. Diverting its water for irrigation purposes, also a prominent point for pollution. Seven IITs of India joined hands for the recoveries of Ganga, consecutively 2 GAP(GANGA ACTION PLAN) have taken but failed . Measures
have taken by the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. The major polluting industries in U.P, installed Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are reported to have been closed. Sources said that inspection report submitted to the Uttarakhand, already the riverbed is completely dry at Shrinagar. If all projects are allowed there to run on, the aquatic life and biodiversity of the river basin will be virtually destroyed.
The another threatener of Ganga is the construction projects. According to government, three hydro-electric projects has been suspended out of eight on river Bhagirathi. Despite, Uttarakhand State has planned to build around 300 small and large dams on various tributaries of the Ganga to tap the hydro power potential of the State(as reported). The Ganga is the most powerful resources for the Wildlife too. According to studies reported by environmentalists, it has over 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species, and five areas which support birds found nowhere else in the world. The Ganga decomposes organic waste 15 to 25 times faster than other rivers. The Ganga has an extraordinarily high rate of reaeration, the process by which it absorbs atmospheric oxygen. When organic waste is dropped into it, as much as 60% of the BOD (Biochemical oxygen demand, is a chemical procedure for determining the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break down organic material present in a given water sample at certain temperature over a specific time period.), is processed within an hour. WOW what a report!!! It is observed by the scientists that various species of fishes which helped in keeping the river water clean are destroying. Replacing these species, gigantic marine species like Sea Bass, Rostellascaris, Xenentodon Cancilla, Clarius Gariepinusare are thriving in the river. Steady and rapid increase in pollution caused the surprised vanishing of river Dolphins. Industrial discharges, sewage, pesticides, dead bodies have increased pollution levels in the River Ganga over the years despite our government has promised to clean-up the holy river.
Another major dragons are continuously threatning to our mother River Expressway. Our greedy governments has anounced to have ambitious Rupees. 30,000 crore Ganga Expressway project. The BIG BIG promises are ther. One is to reduce journey time. Although some political leaders are comments against this still it is on. The holy Ganga is becoming a grave concern for scientists of the country, threat of groundwater contamination is also oosing even larger than anticipated and calling for urgent measures for its mitigation.
Inthis scenario, when our civilization are at a stake why do few people seems to get worked up about the buried state of Ganga? Why we are they so indifferent? What would it take to really motivate Indians to save the river? May we join hand to find a win-win solution, where both humanbeing and Ganga get something positive clues of rescue?
Sarmita Majumdar
[email protected]
INDIA.