Special Report on Scientific Ganga Yatra in Uttarakhand

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

1. 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.  
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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. 
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.