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.

Meeting with Prof. M.G.K.Menan and Prof. Manju Sharma at NASI, Allahabad

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.