In connection with the “Black color of Ganga water at Allahabad and its ever growing contamination” reported by several electronic and print media, I have visited river Ganga at Varanasi to assess the quality of water, today on 22nd Dec. 2010. During my visit I found more or less similar condition at Varanasi too. I was really shocked to see the black-brownish colour of the Ganga which is a serious matter as the change in colour is not just because of the organic matter going into the river with the sewage discharge. Scientifically the organic matters of sewage get decayed after some time and did not travel long distances, only coloured effluents had the potential to travel a long distance.If the Ganga water in Varanasi and Allahabad is turning brownish or black, it means there is high concentration of coloured effluents in the upper stream of the river. It should be properly examined and appropriate remedial steps should be taken immediately by both state governments i.e. Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
In my opinion, besides some of the identified major industries there are thousands of small scale and cottage industries located in and around the cities. Unfortunately there list has not been prepared by the State Pollution Control Boards till date. Information about the total number of industries working, quantity and quality of Sewage & Industrial Effluents discharged to main and branch sewer lines, point and non-point sources of pollutants, area based quality & quantity of solid wastes disposal, ecologically sound higher dilution discharge sites, hospital wastes, radioactive materials, toxic chemicals released from various sources, solid wastes of non-degradable building materials, pesticides & insecticides, number of dead body disposal, pollutants released from cremation grounds, temple wastes, quantity of plastics and possibilities to establish economic community treatment plants are still not known. Since the Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are members of the NGRBA and Chairman(s) of the State Ganga River Conservation Authorities, I requested the Chief Ministers to issue necessary directives to the officials concerned to collect the required information and prepare a suitable management plan for its further consideration and I would also raise this matter before the Prime Minister in the next meeting of NGRBA.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sustainable Development of GANGA in Uttar Pradesh: An Ecological View
Sustainable Development of River Ganga in UP needs Holistic Ecological Approach based on self regulatory mechanism to maintain the homeostasis. This may be achieved with the following:
- Suitability and economic viability of the new Sewage Treatment Plants be ensured before their establishment.
- For economic saving old and existing STPs be upgraded/modified in light of their past drawbacks and recent advances in Wastewater Treatment Technologies.
- Land use patterns, fertility level of land and upstream/downstream locations for new STPs be examined so that no STP be constructed on highly fertile lands.
- Probabilities of Community Treatment Plants and recycling of the wastewater be explored for economically feasible solutions.
- Accurate quantity and quality of waste water (e.g. sewage, industrial effluents and laboratory chemicals etc.) generated at Varanasi, Allahabad and Kanpur be assessed for long term environmental planning.
- Small scale & cottage industries (including motor workshops & garbage disposal) located in vicinity of the cities be identified and suitable treatment plants be suggested.
- Proper quantification and quality examination of solid wastes generated in each zone of the city be assessed for their recycling and other utilizations.
- Electric crematorium on respective cremation grounds, incineration plants for cattle’s and separate washing ghats at downstream be established.
- Unauthorized constructions near the banks and its catchment areas be stopped immediately to maintain the natural flow.
- Local Technical Expert Committees with one or more expert member(s) of the NGRBA/SGRCA be formed to monitor and assess the working of ongoing projects.
- Involvement of Ganga users in various projects be ensured.
- Non consumptive activities (e.g. fishery, aquaculture, navigation etc.) of Ganga water be encouraged.
- Higher dilution zones of the river Ganga be examined and preferred as disposal sites.
- Mass awareness programs through documentaries, Nukkad natak, literature and public lectures be organized at school level.
- Development and adoption of micro level irrigational techniques be adopted to save the huge loss of Ganga water through flood irrigation practices.
- Rain Water Harvesting, its storage, multiple uses at micro community level and Ground Water Recharging practices be encouraged to maintain the ground water status and save the Ganga water.
- Green belt of resilient and ecologically adaptable plant species on both banks of river be developed. This will act as kidney in filtering the non point pollutants and also check the soil erosion.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Contributions on Ganga
· Pioneered pollution researches (1972) on “Ganga River Ecosystem”. Research findings were discussed in the Parliament (Loksabha Q. No. 1464, 21st July, 1980). This laid the foundation of Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in India.
· On personal advice of former Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi, wrote a scientific book "Himalaya Se Sager Tak" in Hindi to make the public more aware about scientific facts of the holy river GANGA. This book is dedicated to late Mrs. Gandhi.
· Developed Pollution Control Technology for Saree Printing Industries to check the pollution of GANGA, which was approved by Hon’ble High Court, Allahabad (1998).
· Nominated as an expert member on the committee constituted by Hon’ble High Court (1998).
· First time in the world studied the impact of dead body cremation on GANGA and convinced the religious people of Varanasi to use electric crematoria for dead body cremation.
· Addressed 127 public meetings, created mass awareness about Ganga water pollution and its prevention through National & International Electronic & Print media.
New Technologies Developed
· Treatment Technology for Municipal Waste Water (1991). This is a low cost treatment technology in which pollutants are removed from the municipal wastewater using four aquatic duckweeds.
· Biological Treatment of Waste Water (1991). This is the three stage wastewater treatment technology in which macro and microphytes are used for removal of heavy metals and other toxic pollutants from sewage and industrial effluents. This low cost technology was highly appreciated by scientists and technologists during Int. Conf. at Vienna and recommended for its application for pollution control in tropical countries.
· Treatment Technology for Dairy Waste Water (2003). This low cost technology is developed for tertiary treatment of dairy wastewater with the help of a combination of aquatic plants. Technology is effectively used by a number of Dairies in India.
· Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technology (2010). This is an advanced wastewater treatment technology in which Ozonation is used for removal of organic materials and bacterial disinfection of the treated wastewater.
Books1. “THE GANGA” published by Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India, Book Edited by Dr. C.R. Krishnamurti ( 1989).
2. “The Ganga Himalaya Se Sagar Tak” published by Nagari Pracharini Sabha. (1989).
3. “River Ecology and Human Health” Edited in (1984).Tara Printing.
Ph.D. Produced1. Priyadarshini Dixit (2009). Pollution of River Ganga and its Control at Varanasi.
2. Archana Mishra (2009). Ecological investigation of River Ganga at Varanasi with special reference to Bacterial Pollution.
3. Anil Kumar Pandey (2002). Ecological investigation of certain plants growing in polluted water and their utilization for waste water treatment.
4. U. P. Dwivedi (2000). Impact of different pollutants on the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of selected ponds.
5. Kiran Mishra (1993). Ecology and management of freshwater pond of Varanasi.
6. Jaya Srivastava (1993). Ecological investigation of certain plants of River Ganga in relation to pollution.
7. B.P. Mishra (1992). Ecological studies on pollution management of River Ganga in Varanasi.
8. Deepa V. (1992). Ecological investigation of certain plants with special reference to sewage pollution.
9. Nagendra Prasad (1989). Ecology of river Varuna at Varanasi with special reference to Bacterial pollution.
10. Suresh Chandra Shukla (1989). Ecological investigation on pollution and management of River Ganga in Mirzapur.
11. Rajani Kant Dwivedi (1987). Ecological investigation on wheat and paddy crops with special reference to sewage irrigation.
12. Mohd. Sikandar (1986). Ecology of river Ganga in Varanasi with special reference to pollution.
2. “The Ganga Himalaya Se Sagar Tak” published by Nagari Pracharini Sabha. (1989).
3. “River Ecology and Human Health” Edited in (1984).Tara Printing.
Ph.D. Produced1. Priyadarshini Dixit (2009). Pollution of River Ganga and its Control at Varanasi.
2. Archana Mishra (2009). Ecological investigation of River Ganga at Varanasi with special reference to Bacterial Pollution.
3. Anil Kumar Pandey (2002). Ecological investigation of certain plants growing in polluted water and their utilization for waste water treatment.
4. U. P. Dwivedi (2000). Impact of different pollutants on the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of selected ponds.
5. Kiran Mishra (1993). Ecology and management of freshwater pond of Varanasi.
6. Jaya Srivastava (1993). Ecological investigation of certain plants of River Ganga in relation to pollution.
7. B.P. Mishra (1992). Ecological studies on pollution management of River Ganga in Varanasi.
8. Deepa V. (1992). Ecological investigation of certain plants with special reference to sewage pollution.
9. Nagendra Prasad (1989). Ecology of river Varuna at Varanasi with special reference to Bacterial pollution.
10. Suresh Chandra Shukla (1989). Ecological investigation on pollution and management of River Ganga in Mirzapur.
11. Rajani Kant Dwivedi (1987). Ecological investigation on wheat and paddy crops with special reference to sewage irrigation.
12. Mohd. Sikandar (1986). Ecology of river Ganga in Varanasi with special reference to pollution.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Views of Prof. B.D.Tripathi on Lohari-nag Pala & other Projects
• One of the main objectives of the NGRBA is to maintain minimum ecological flows of the river (i.e. .minimum quantity and quality of water that sustains the river as a healthy ecological system), ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.
• Reduction in longest & open pathway of the river and passing it through tunnels may have following “Ecological Impacts”:
(a) “Self regulatory mechanism” of the river to maintain the “homeostasis” will be lost.
(b) “Dissolved Oxygen” content of water may be reduced leading loss of aquatic lives.
(c) “Management of river ecosystem” through decomposition of the materials, pollutants and bio-geo-chemical cycles by micro- and macro organisms will be affected.
(d) “Species composition and bio-diversity” of the area may be changed due to changes in humidity and temperature pattern of the surrounding environment.
(e) “Pathogenic microbes” may increase under anaerobic tunnel environment.
(f) “Quality of Ganga water” famous for its purifying capacity of human body and soul & “Ecological System” of the river may be changed.
(g) “Model study” must be conducted to assess the aforesaid impacts.
• In view of the aforesaid environmental observations, EIA clearance issued in this regard must be reviewed in light of the following:
(a) Reciprocal impact analysis of the Glaciers (important sources of river water) and the projects keeping “Global Warming Impact” into consideration.
(b) Impact on end users of the river in plane areas under “Climate Change”.
(c) Impact of high rain fall, snow melt and sudden flood conditions in the Himalayas on tunnels, reservoirs and end users in plains receiving water from controlled system ( e.g. situation that arises in North Bihar due to release of water from Nepal during heavy rain fall events in the Himalayan kingdom).
(d) Impact of heavy siltation especially under prevailing blasting, deforestation and overgrazing conditions on storage and carrying capacity.
(e) Impact of altered environmental conditions on species composition and emergence of newer harmful species (e.g. fast growing population of Tse Tse, responsible for sleeping sickness in Egypt after construction of Afwan Dam).
(f) Environmental Clearance for all major projects must be supported by “Model Study” conducted by competent organization.
(g) Under present condition, constitution of a “Scientific Technical Committee” of the NGRBA is requested to monitor and review all projects and EIA Clearance of the “Ganga River Basin” to avoid financial and environmental losses of the country.
• Reduction in longest & open pathway of the river and passing it through tunnels may have following “Ecological Impacts”:
(a) “Self regulatory mechanism” of the river to maintain the “homeostasis” will be lost.
(b) “Dissolved Oxygen” content of water may be reduced leading loss of aquatic lives.
(c) “Management of river ecosystem” through decomposition of the materials, pollutants and bio-geo-chemical cycles by micro- and macro organisms will be affected.
(d) “Species composition and bio-diversity” of the area may be changed due to changes in humidity and temperature pattern of the surrounding environment.
(e) “Pathogenic microbes” may increase under anaerobic tunnel environment.
(f) “Quality of Ganga water” famous for its purifying capacity of human body and soul & “Ecological System” of the river may be changed.
(g) “Model study” must be conducted to assess the aforesaid impacts.
• In view of the aforesaid environmental observations, EIA clearance issued in this regard must be reviewed in light of the following:
(a) Reciprocal impact analysis of the Glaciers (important sources of river water) and the projects keeping “Global Warming Impact” into consideration.
(b) Impact on end users of the river in plane areas under “Climate Change”.
(c) Impact of high rain fall, snow melt and sudden flood conditions in the Himalayas on tunnels, reservoirs and end users in plains receiving water from controlled system ( e.g. situation that arises in North Bihar due to release of water from Nepal during heavy rain fall events in the Himalayan kingdom).
(d) Impact of heavy siltation especially under prevailing blasting, deforestation and overgrazing conditions on storage and carrying capacity.
(e) Impact of altered environmental conditions on species composition and emergence of newer harmful species (e.g. fast growing population of Tse Tse, responsible for sleeping sickness in Egypt after construction of Afwan Dam).
(f) Environmental Clearance for all major projects must be supported by “Model Study” conducted by competent organization.
(g) Under present condition, constitution of a “Scientific Technical Committee” of the NGRBA is requested to monitor and review all projects and EIA Clearance of the “Ganga River Basin” to avoid financial and environmental losses of the country.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Important reasons for failure of Ganga Action Plan-1
1.Non availability of Environmental State-of-the-Art.
2.Inappropriate Environmental Planning.
3.Establishment of non specific Sewage Treatment Plants on highly productive crop lands.
4.Shortage of authentic information on quality & quantity of waste generation, mode of disposal, possibilities for recycling, development of community treatment plants and cost effective treatment technologies.
5.Insignificant cooperation between Central, State and Local Government bodies.
6.Lack of local technical expert committees for monitoring the work.
7.Least input from multidisciplinary environmental experts in policy planning of the Ganga Action Plan.
8.Short of global tender policies for formulation and execution of pollution control projects.
9.Improper mass awareness and involvement of Ganga users in different projects.
10.Lack of long term involvement of authorities to fix responsibilities for failure.
11. Least political dedication and vision to save the Ganga.
2.Inappropriate Environmental Planning.
3.Establishment of non specific Sewage Treatment Plants on highly productive crop lands.
4.Shortage of authentic information on quality & quantity of waste generation, mode of disposal, possibilities for recycling, development of community treatment plants and cost effective treatment technologies.
5.Insignificant cooperation between Central, State and Local Government bodies.
6.Lack of local technical expert committees for monitoring the work.
7.Least input from multidisciplinary environmental experts in policy planning of the Ganga Action Plan.
8.Short of global tender policies for formulation and execution of pollution control projects.
9.Improper mass awareness and involvement of Ganga users in different projects.
10.Lack of long term involvement of authorities to fix responsibilities for failure.
11. Least political dedication and vision to save the Ganga.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sustainable Development of Ganga Basin
Views on
Eco-Development of Ganga River Basin: A Sustainable Approach
• River Ganga is the basis of life and principle source of economic, sociological, cultural and environmental development of its highly productive and densely populated basin.
• Human life on earth is governed by Nature; hence, objectives of the Ganga River Basin Development shall only be achieved through holistic ecological approach based on self regulatory mechanism to maintain the homeostasis.
• “Sustainably use it or lose it” may be the key slogan for resource utilization in Ganga River Basin.
• Engineering based technologies provide short term solutions only, but long term & sustainable solutions may only be achieved through biological methodologies based on regeneration ability.
• Numerous micro- and macro organisms, associated directly or indirectly with Ganga River, manage the river ecosystem through decomposition of the materials/pollutants and bio-geo-chemical cycles.
• Green belt of resilient and ecologically adaptable plant species on both banks of river will solve the non point pollution problem of the Ganga River. Green belt will act as kidney in filtering the pollutants and also check the soil erosion.
• Point pollution sources like city sewage and toxic industrial effluents should be treated in specific treatment plants before release into river. Treatment plants designed for temperate conditions do not work efficiently under tropical conditions, thus, they should be modified before implementation in India.
• The NGRBA may carefully review the short comings of GAP-1, for example:
(a) Accumulation of persistent toxic chemicals in crop plants (cereals, vegetables and
fruits) due to irrigation with treated water released from existing STPs.
(b) Mostly STPs were constructed on highly fertile croplands ignoring the basic
principles of eco- resource management.
(c) STPs were not designed for long term sustainability.
(d) Lack of individual responsibility for failure of various projects.
(e) Ignorance of temporal and spatial variability during data generation.
(f) Lack of local technical expert monitoring committees at grass root level.
(g) Shortage of efficient digital data storage and sharing system.
In the above connection, Hon’ble High Court, Allahabad noted that “improper planning and the failure of some of the scheme of GAP-1 almost everywhere and in particular at Varanasi, pollution instead being controlled has multiplied. Dinapur STP has not been able to give the required results.” Therefore, sustainability, suitability & location of STPs must be examined by the team having sound environmental/ecological/technological understanding.
• “Environmental State of Art of the Ganga River Basin” is urgently required for preparation and setting of the standards and future working norms. It must be emphasized that holistic ecosystem perspective of River Ganga Ecosystem is essential for sustainable development of Ganga River Basin.
Eco-Development of Ganga River Basin: A Sustainable Approach
• River Ganga is the basis of life and principle source of economic, sociological, cultural and environmental development of its highly productive and densely populated basin.
• Human life on earth is governed by Nature; hence, objectives of the Ganga River Basin Development shall only be achieved through holistic ecological approach based on self regulatory mechanism to maintain the homeostasis.
• “Sustainably use it or lose it” may be the key slogan for resource utilization in Ganga River Basin.
• Engineering based technologies provide short term solutions only, but long term & sustainable solutions may only be achieved through biological methodologies based on regeneration ability.
• Numerous micro- and macro organisms, associated directly or indirectly with Ganga River, manage the river ecosystem through decomposition of the materials/pollutants and bio-geo-chemical cycles.
• Green belt of resilient and ecologically adaptable plant species on both banks of river will solve the non point pollution problem of the Ganga River. Green belt will act as kidney in filtering the pollutants and also check the soil erosion.
• Point pollution sources like city sewage and toxic industrial effluents should be treated in specific treatment plants before release into river. Treatment plants designed for temperate conditions do not work efficiently under tropical conditions, thus, they should be modified before implementation in India.
• The NGRBA may carefully review the short comings of GAP-1, for example:
(a) Accumulation of persistent toxic chemicals in crop plants (cereals, vegetables and
fruits) due to irrigation with treated water released from existing STPs.
(b) Mostly STPs were constructed on highly fertile croplands ignoring the basic
principles of eco- resource management.
(c) STPs were not designed for long term sustainability.
(d) Lack of individual responsibility for failure of various projects.
(e) Ignorance of temporal and spatial variability during data generation.
(f) Lack of local technical expert monitoring committees at grass root level.
(g) Shortage of efficient digital data storage and sharing system.
In the above connection, Hon’ble High Court, Allahabad noted that “improper planning and the failure of some of the scheme of GAP-1 almost everywhere and in particular at Varanasi, pollution instead being controlled has multiplied. Dinapur STP has not been able to give the required results.” Therefore, sustainability, suitability & location of STPs must be examined by the team having sound environmental/ecological/technological understanding.
• “Environmental State of Art of the Ganga River Basin” is urgently required for preparation and setting of the standards and future working norms. It must be emphasized that holistic ecosystem perspective of River Ganga Ecosystem is essential for sustainable development of Ganga River Basin.
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