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.