River Ganga is suffering with triple ‘R’ problems
1. Reduced
ecological flow
2. Reduced space for water flow
3. Reduced water quality
River Ganga may be conserved with triple ‘P’ programs
1. Policy
2. Planning
3. Prevention
Details of triple ‘R’
1. REDUCED ECOLOGICAL FLOW
Reduced flow of river water is due to creation of obstacles in the natural flow, diversion & over extraction of river water for irrigation, domestic, industrial purposes and ground water through pumps and lift canals.
2. REDUCED SPACE FOR WATER FLOW
Reduced space for water flow is associated with the continuous decrease in water depth due to high rate of siltation induced by deforestation, river bank encroachment from both the sides and major constructions in the catchment area.
3. REDUCED QUALITY OF WATER
Reduced quality of river water is due to pollution of water induced by discharge of city sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural runoff, cremation of dead bodies, animal bathing and washing of clothes, solid and biomedical waste disposal.
Details of triple ‘P’
1. POLICY
Proper policy pertaining to increase in water quantity & maintenance of ecological flow, rain water harvesting, ground water recharging, natural cleaning, extraction of water directly from the river & ground water, land use near banks, disposal of human dead body and animal carcases, water users - drinking, bathing, washing, navigation, aquaculture, plantation, cropping, irrigation, discharge of sewage and industrial effluents, pollution control technologies, land selection for STPs, major constructions in the catchment areas, people’s participation in different projects, monitoring of projects, accountability of project leader, adoption of stack holder, biodiversity conservation, utilization of youth power (school, college and university students) and mass awareness.
2. PLANNING
Short and long-term planning for water conservation, environmental management based on regeneration ability, socio-economic and cultural development in the Ganga Basin, establishment of specific treatment plants including community treatment facilities, adoption of eco-friendly technologies, launching of time bound projects, people’s participation, youth power (school, college and university students) utilization, mass awareness, shifting of flood irrigation system to modern irrigational practices, development of green belt of resilient plant species on river banks, recycling of waste water, rain water harvesting and ground water recharging technologies, use of solid waste materials as resource for energy production, solar energy harvesting, identification of high dilution zones of the river for discharge of waste water, establishment of Ganga Conservation Societies at ward level in the urban areas and gram sabha level in rural areas ensuring women participation, creation of Ganga Gyan Centres at University level, constitution of local technical expert committees for monitoring and assessment of Projects, encouraging non consumptive activities (fisheries, aquaculture and navigation).
3. PREVENTION
Prevention is better than cure henceforth, GANGA CULTURE be developed in the people of Ganga Basin. All preventive steps such as creation of legislation, coordination between Central, State and Local authorities, development of new technologies and mass awareness be adopted. Dos and don’ts materials be prepared and popularise through documentary films, news papers, TV, nukkad nataks, hand bills, slide shows, seminars, symposia and workshops.
2. Reduced space for water flow
3. Reduced water quality
River Ganga may be conserved with triple ‘P’ programs
1. Policy
2. Planning
3. Prevention
Details of triple ‘R’
1. REDUCED ECOLOGICAL FLOW
Reduced flow of river water is due to creation of obstacles in the natural flow, diversion & over extraction of river water for irrigation, domestic, industrial purposes and ground water through pumps and lift canals.
2. REDUCED SPACE FOR WATER FLOW
Reduced space for water flow is associated with the continuous decrease in water depth due to high rate of siltation induced by deforestation, river bank encroachment from both the sides and major constructions in the catchment area.
3. REDUCED QUALITY OF WATER
Reduced quality of river water is due to pollution of water induced by discharge of city sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural runoff, cremation of dead bodies, animal bathing and washing of clothes, solid and biomedical waste disposal.
Details of triple ‘P’
1. POLICY
Proper policy pertaining to increase in water quantity & maintenance of ecological flow, rain water harvesting, ground water recharging, natural cleaning, extraction of water directly from the river & ground water, land use near banks, disposal of human dead body and animal carcases, water users - drinking, bathing, washing, navigation, aquaculture, plantation, cropping, irrigation, discharge of sewage and industrial effluents, pollution control technologies, land selection for STPs, major constructions in the catchment areas, people’s participation in different projects, monitoring of projects, accountability of project leader, adoption of stack holder, biodiversity conservation, utilization of youth power (school, college and university students) and mass awareness.
2. PLANNING
Short and long-term planning for water conservation, environmental management based on regeneration ability, socio-economic and cultural development in the Ganga Basin, establishment of specific treatment plants including community treatment facilities, adoption of eco-friendly technologies, launching of time bound projects, people’s participation, youth power (school, college and university students) utilization, mass awareness, shifting of flood irrigation system to modern irrigational practices, development of green belt of resilient plant species on river banks, recycling of waste water, rain water harvesting and ground water recharging technologies, use of solid waste materials as resource for energy production, solar energy harvesting, identification of high dilution zones of the river for discharge of waste water, establishment of Ganga Conservation Societies at ward level in the urban areas and gram sabha level in rural areas ensuring women participation, creation of Ganga Gyan Centres at University level, constitution of local technical expert committees for monitoring and assessment of Projects, encouraging non consumptive activities (fisheries, aquaculture and navigation).
3. PREVENTION
Prevention is better than cure henceforth, GANGA CULTURE be developed in the people of Ganga Basin. All preventive steps such as creation of legislation, coordination between Central, State and Local authorities, development of new technologies and mass awareness be adopted. Dos and don’ts materials be prepared and popularise through documentary films, news papers, TV, nukkad nataks, hand bills, slide shows, seminars, symposia and workshops.
