In view of the dedicated efforts
of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to Save
Mother Ganga and related Social
Movements, Prof. B. D. Tripathi of the Banaras Hindu University, who has
pioneered Ganga Pollution Researches since 1972 and also Expert Member of the
National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), has made an intensive GANGA YATRA
in Uttarakhand and field based Ecological Study during the month of May 2012.
He has visited river Ganga, Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Pindar, Dhauli
Ganga, Nandakani, Sone Ganga and river Yamuna in Uttarkhand. Prof. Tripathi has
travelled across the Uttarakhand and spent day and night on the bank of various
rivers for seventeen days. Dr. Tripathi has also visited Gangotri, Yamunotri,
Badrinath, Kedar Nath, Deoprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag,
Nandprayag,Vishnuprayag, Soneprayag,
different Dams and Hydroelectric Projects etc. to study different anthropogenic
activities and its impact on GANGA. The main aim of his study was to identify anthropogenically
induced ecological problems of river GANGA in Uttarakhand, and suggest possible
remedial measures to Hon’ble Prime Minister to overcome the problems of river
GANGA and its important head streams, who are regarded as lifeline and
worshiped as the mother in India. During Scientific Ganga Yatra, besides ecological
investigation, Prof Tripathi has also met to the people who are dependent for
their livelihood on these rivers, religious leaders, social activists, various
scientific groups working on Ganga, noted environmentalists and those who were
serious about the development of the Uttarakhand . He has made following
important observations during his scientific Ganga Yatr
- Large
number of hydroelectric power projects have been commissioned and proposed on
river Ganga and Alaknanda, such as on river Ganga 16 hydroelectric projects have
been commissioned, 13 projects are under construction and 54 projects are
proposed. On river Alaknanda 6 hydroelectric projects have been commissioned, 8
projects are under construction and 24 projects are proposed.
- Hydroelectric
power projects are causing submersion of large land area which results in loss
of flora and fauna. These hydro-power projects are altering natural rhythm of
nature, sediment and nutrient regimes, temperature, chemical qualities of
water, fresh water biodiversity and reproductive capabilities of aquatic
animals. This also creates high hydraulic pressure at a given point of earth
which may stimulate earth quake and landslides
- Construction
of dams causes huge destruction of mountain ecosystem including reduction in
the natural flow and dilution capacity of the river resulting enhancement of
the pollution level
- The
Tehari Dam has been constructed among the hills made up by the soil. This
result in loss of 25-30% water of the reservoir through seepage and induce
severe threat to the hills in the vicinity.
- In
Uttarakhand, natural flow of majority of rivers has been obstructed by a series
of hydroelectric power projects. At many places main path of these rivers have
been diverted through the tunnels and upto several km main path of the river has
been dried. This has not only destroyed the flora and fauna of the river stretch
but badly affected the quality of water, human life and altered the structure
and functions of the natural ecosystem.
- The
diversion of rivers has also created various socio-economic and religious
problems to the local inhabitants. Their local resource based livelihood (such
as agriculture, domestication of animals and religious activities) suffers
significantly enhancing unemployment and poverty.
- The
blasting activities in these hilly areas are causing huge cracks in the hills,
loss of biodiversity, seepage of water and increased soil erosion responsible
for siltation in the rivers.
- The
observed high wind speed in the Uttarakhand due to low pressure belt creates
suitable environment for the production of electricity through wind mills. The
use of Wind mills may mitigate the negative impacts of the anthropogenic
activities in these areas.
- Promotion
of Wind mills for generation of electricity in Uttarakhand in place of
hydropower projects which require huge land area and water, shall help in
maintenance of the ecological flow of the river Ganga which is currently a
burning issue in India and main objective of the NGRBA.
