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.