"नमामि गंगे" परियोजना की सफलता हेतु गंगा बेसिन के सभी सांसद अपने संसदीय क्षेत्र में "गंगा परिक्षेत्र" को गोद लें: प्रो. बी डी त्रिपाठी

भारत में गांवों के सर्वांगीण विकास हेतु प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी द्वारा सांसदों के एक-एक गाँव को गोद लेने की "आदर्श ग्राम योजना"  अत्यंत प्रसंशनीय है. इसी तर्ज पर "नमामि गंगे" की महत्वाकांक्षी योजना की सफलता हेतु गंगा क्षेत्र के सभी सांसदों द्वारा अपने-अपने संसदीय क्षेत्र में "गंगा परिक्षेत्र" को गोद लिया जाना चाहिये. सांसदों द्वारा अपने-अपने क्षेत्र में "गंगा परिक्षेत्र" को गोद लेकर नमामि गंगे योजना के अंतर्गत चलाई जाने वाली सभी परियोजनाओं का संचालन उनकी देख-रेख सुनिश्चित किया जाये. ऐसा होने पर ही गंगा से जुड़ी सभी परियोजनाओं की आशातीत सफलता की उम्मीद की जा सकती है. गंगा संरक्षण से जुड़े अपने पिछले 40 वर्षों के अनुभव पर हमारा मानना है कि प्रधानमंत्री द्वारा लिया गया यह निर्णय सभी परियोजनाओं के क्रियान्वयन हेतु केंद्र एवं राज्य सरकारों के बीच समन्वयन का भी कार्य करेगा.  

आईआईटी कंसोर्टियम द्वारा प्रस्तुत गंगा बेसिन मैनेजमेंट प्लान की समीक्षा: प्रो. बी.डी. त्रिपाठी

1. आईआईटी कंसोर्टियम द्वारा 16 करोड़ रुपये की लागत से तैयार की गयी गंगा बेसिन मैनेजमेंट रिपोर्ट,  इंटरनेट से प्राप्त आंकड़ों पर आधारित एक सतही रिपोर्ट है. अभी तक इंटरनेट पर उपलब्ध आंकड़ों की वैज्ञानिक वैधता और विश्वसनीयता संदिग्ध रही है. कंसोर्टियम द्वारा स्वयं के दिए गए ३८ सन्दर्भों में २६ सन्दर्भ इंटरनेट से लिए गए हैं.
2. गोमुख से गंगासागर तक गंगा तीन प्रमुख पारिस्थितिकी तंत्रों - पर्वतीय, मैदानी और डेल्टा - में विभाजित है. प्रत्येक तन्त्र की अपनी अलग-अलग विशेषताएं और समस्याएँ हैं, जिनका समाधान भी उन्ही के अनुरूप किया जाना चाहिए. परन्तु कंसोर्टियम की रिपोर्ट में इन तीन पारिस्थितिकी तंत्रों की प्रमुख समस्याओं के समाधान एवं उनके संरक्षण पर कोई ध्यान नहीं दिया गया है.  
3. भारत सरकार द्वारा वर्ष 2008 में गंगा को राष्ट्रीय नदी घोषित कर दिया गया. परन्तु अभी तक गंगा पांच राजनैतिक प्रदेशों उत्तराखंड, उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, झारखण्ड एवं पश्चिम बंगाल के नियंत्रण में है. गंगा के पानी का उपभोग, उसका संरक्षण, प्रबंधन एवं विभिन्न योजनाओं का क्रियान्वयन आज भी इन्ही राजनैतिक प्रदेशों के नियंत्रण में है. पिछले 29 वर्षों में इन प्रदेशों द्वारा गंगा संरक्षण कार्यक्रमों की असफलताओं को देखते हुए गंगा का केंद्रीय नियंत्रण अति आवश्यक है, परन्तु आईआईटी कंसोर्टियम की रिपोर्ट में इस प्रमुख बिंदु पर कोई चर्चा नहीं की गई है.
4. आईआईटी कंसोर्टियम ने गंगा की पारिस्थितिकीय आवश्यकताओं, सामाजिक-सांस्कृतिक-धार्मिक रीतियों और कुम्भ-स्नान जैसे पर्वों को ध्यान में रखते हुए गंगा में पानी के बहाव और उसकी गहराई का आंकलन अपने स्तर पर नहीं किया. इस रिपोर्ट में माँ गंगा से जुड़े गहन और संवेदनशील सामाजिक, आर्थिक और धार्मिक विषयों को दरकिनार किया गया है.
5. रिपोर्ट में की गयी गंगाजल के न्यूनतम प्रवाह की संस्तुति पर्यावरण विज्ञान के सिद्धांतों पर आधारित नहीं है, क्योंकि प्राकृतिक वातावरण में गंगाजल का प्रवाह न्यूनतम स्तर से नीचे जाते ही बहुत-से संवेदनशील जंतु एवं वनस्पतियों की प्रजातियां स्वतः समाप्त हो जायेंगी.
6. रिपोर्ट में महसीर मछली के आधार पर गंगा में न्यूनतम ०.५ मीटर पानी की संस्तुति नदी के पारिस्थितिकी तन्त्र के प्रति पूर्ण अज्ञानता को प्रदर्शित करती है, क्योंकि यदि भारत सरकार द्वारा राष्ट्रीय जलीय जंतु के रूप में घोषित गंगा डॉलफिन को भी ध्यान में रखा गया होता तो कम से कम ३-४ मीटर पानी की संस्तुति की गयी होती.
7. आईआईटी कंसोर्टियम की रिपोर्ट में गंगा के अविरलता की आवश्यकता की बात तो कही गयी है परन्तु गंगा में पानी के प्रवाह को कैसे बढाया जाए, इसके बारे में कोई सलाह नहीं दिया गया है.
8. रिपोर्ट में सुझायी गयी किसी भी परियोजना के लिए आवश्यक "कॉस्ट बेनिफिट एनालिसिस" नहीं किया गया है.
9. नदी पारिस्थितिकीय तन्त्र के प्रबंधन में खाद्य श्रृंखला, पोषक तत्त्वों के चक्रण और प्रदूषकों के अपघटन द्वारा सबसे महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका का निर्वहन करने वाले सूक्ष्म जीवों के संरक्षण हेतु कोई सुझाव नहीं दिया गया है.
10. रिपोर्ट में सीवेज ट्रीटमेंट के लिए प्रस्तुत "डिजाइन बिल्ड फाइनेंस ऑपरेट मॉडल" कई प्रकार की समस्याओं को उत्पन्न कर सकता है क्योंकि भारत में 'वाटर सेक्टर' के निजीकरण से उत्पन्न समस्याएँ सर्वविदित हैं. अतः इसके स्थान पर सीवेज ट्रीटमेंट के लिए "पब्लिक फाइनेंसिंग एंड पब्लिक कम्यूनिटी कंट्रोल" पर आधारित मॉडल को प्रस्तावित किया जा सकता है.
11. अधिक क्षमता वाले सीवेज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांटों की स्थापना के लिए भूमि का चयन किन आधारों पर किया जाये, इसके बारे में कोई भी सुझाव नहीं दिया गया है.
12. उत्तराखंड में विकास और निर्माण कार्यों के नाम पर किए जा रहे अंधाधुंध ब्लास्टिंग से हिमालय का पारिस्थितिक तन्त्र बुरी तरह से प्रभावित होता जा रहा है परन्तु कंसोर्टियम की रिपोर्ट में इनके संरक्षण हेतु कोई ठोस सुझाव नहीं दिया गया है.
13. उत्तराखंड में वायुमंडल के कम दबाव के कारण तेज हवाएं चलती हैं, जिनका उपयोग पवनचक्की के माध्यम से विद्युत् उत्पादन करने में किया जा सकता है. परन्तु रिपोर्ट में विद्युत् उत्पादन के लिए सौर एवं पवन ऊर्जा के उपयोग हेतु कोई सुझाव नहीं दिया गया है.
14. रिपोर्ट में भागीरथी, अलकनंदा एवं मंदाकिनी जैसी गंगा की प्रमुख शीर्ष धाराओं पर बनाए गए बांधों एवं जल-विद्युत् परियोजनाओं का कोई विकल्प प्रस्तुत नहीं किया गया है.
15. रिपोर्ट में उत्तराखंड के आर्थिक विकास में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका का निर्वहन करने वाले प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य एवं धार्मिक यात्रा से जुड़े पर्यटन के विषय में प्रमुखता से चर्चा नहीं की गयी है.
16. रिपोर्ट में गंगा की शीर्ष धाराओं पर बांधों के निर्माण से लगातार पानी के प्रवाह में आ रही कमी के कारण खंडित होती अथवा तालाबों के रूप में निरंतर परिवर्तित हो रही गंगा के प्राकृतिक स्वरूप को बनाए रखने हेतु कोई ठोस सुझाव नहीं दिया गया है.
17. रिपोर्ट में सरकार द्वारा हल्दिया से इलाहाबाद तक प्रस्तावित जलमार्ग के पर्यावरणीय प्रभावों के बारे में कोई चर्चा नहीं की गयी है.

River Ganga Basin Management Plan Prepared by IIT Consortium

Specific Comments

(Communicated to Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and Chairman NGRBA, Nov. 9th 2014)

Professor B.D.Tripathi

·       The IIT Consortium report prepared at the cost of Rs.16 crores, does not give emphasis to holistic ecological approach based on self regulatory mechanism and regeneration abilities to maintain the homeostasis in Ganga ecosystem. Total report is based on secondary data available on the Internet (out of 38 references cited in the report, 26 are from the internet), hence superficial. It is obvious that most of the data available on the internet are neither scientific nor authentic.

·       The river Ganga forms three distinct major ecosystems i.e. Fragile Himalayan ecosystem (Gomukh to Haridwar), Plain agro-urban ecosystem (Haridwar to Patna) and Delta ecosystem (West Bengal-Sunderban). Each ecosystem has its own exclusive characteristics and specific environmental problems. However, the Consortium report has not given any empahsis on the specific issues of these three distinct ecosystems.

·       Even after the declaration of river Ganga as the National River in the year 2008, still it is under the control of five different political states i.e. Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Each state has their own regulations for consumption and management of the river water and implementation of the Ganga related projects. Looking to the past failures of the Ganga related projects, implemented by different state governments, it is necessary to have direct control of the central government over implementation of all Ganga projects to speed up the management. However, IIT consortium report has bypassed this important issue.

·       The IIT Consortium has itself not made any assessment of the flow and depth of water in the Ganga required for ecological, geomorphological, socio-cultural, religious rituals and bathing activities on the specific festivals such as "Kumbh Mela" etc.

·       Highly significant issues of the mother Ganga such as socio-economic, religious and cultural aspects have been totally ignored in the report.

·       Recommendation of minimum e-flow for natural river ecosystem is not ecologically sound and sustainable. Because if there is no buffer space, depletion in the flow of water than the minimum e-flow shall certainly be lethal to the river biota.

·       Recommendation of an e-flow of  0.5 metre depth of water in the Ganga on the basis of the requirement of "Mahseer" in place of the Ganga Dolphin (the National Aquatic Animal), which requires a minimum of 3.0-4.0 metre depth of water, indicates total lack of  knowledge pertaining to the sustainability of river Ecosystem.

·       The IIT consortium has not suggested any methodology to increase the flow of water in the river Ganga.

·       The IIT consortium has not provided any "Cost Benefit Analysis" or "Economic Assessment" for the proposal submitted to the NGRBA.

·       The IIT consortium has not suggested any methodology to conserve the microbial population of river Ganga responsible for managing the river ecosystem through the food chain, nutrients cycling, decomposition of pollutants and bio-geo-chemical cycles.

·       Recommendation of sewage treatment using "Design Built Finance Operate Model" would result in many issues that have already been manifested in the privatization of the water sector in India. So that, it may be replaced with some other model based on "Public Financing and Public-Community Control" operation.

·       Use of explosives and uncontrolled blasting in the fragile Himalayan terrain for infrastructure development works introduces instability in the rocks and is detrimental to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. These issues have not been addressed properly in the report.

·       High wind speed due to low pressure zone may be the alternative source for power generation in Uttarakhand.  The report does not include alternative suggestions such as wind mills and harvesting of solar energy for the production of electricity in Uttarakhand.

·       Alternative arrangements for the big hydro power plants and dams constructed on the main head streams i.e. Bhagirathi, Alaknanda and Mandakini in Uttarakhand region have not been suggested in the report.

·       Significance of major financial sources like pilgrimage and eco-tourism in Uttarakhand region has not been emphasized properly in the report.

·       The report states that "a potential method for ensuring river connectivity through dams/barrages has been suggested" but no innovative suggestion has been provided to check the violation of longitudinal connectivity.

·       Navigation Project details as suggested by the present Govt. has not been incorporated in the report.

Narendra Modi Ganga Plan May Face Hiccups - India Today 6 July 2014

Heavy metals in Ganga contaminate food chain: Times of India (8th November 2014)

Click here for link
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be startled to know that despite his clarion call to restore the pristine glory of the Ganga, the river in Kashi is not only polluted with municipal wastewater but also with toxic heavy metals that have started contaminating the food chain. The PM is arriving here on a two-day visit on Friday.

Banaras Hindu University's environment scientists have detected presence of toxic heavy metals in Ganga's water and deposition in river sediments. Besides, metal bio-accumulation has been found in fish too. In fact, the study indicates that highest accumulation of metals was found in fish muscle followed by gills. The least accumulation was found in liver. This poses a grave threat as fish muscle is the principal source of metal exposure to human as Mangur (the fish used in the study) is an integral part of non-vegetarian diet of population living in the Ganga basin.

Varsity's environment scientist and expert member of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) Prof BD Tripathi said, "No guidelines have been provided regarding the concentration of heavy metals in the river sediments in India. Such a guideline is urgently required." Incidentally, Prof Tripathi undertook a study to assess concentration of heavy metals in Ganga's water and river sediments.

Prof Tripathi said that the study found the river water laced with toxic heavy metals, including Manganese, Iron, Nickel, Copper, Zink, Cadmium, Lead, Titanium and Vanadium. For the study, samples of river water and sediments were collected from 15 sampling points located near the Samne Ghat, Ravidash Ghat, Assi Ghat, Ganga Mahal Ghat, Chetsingh Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat, Shivala Ghat, RP Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Bhosle Ghat, Panchaganga Ghat, Teliyanala Ghat, Rajghat I, Rajghat II, and Ganga-Varuna confluence,

"Though the concentration of these metals, except lead, was found to be within the permissible limit, the process of biological magnification could increase the concentration of these chemicals manifold due to their persistent nature," he said adding that deposition of these metals was harmful to the health of the river and the humans.

He pointed the sewer systems of Varanasi as the major source of discharging toxic industrial waste in Ganga. "Concentration of these metals is also found in river sediments," he claimed and added that anthropogenic factors (discharge from agriculture, domestic and industrial sectors) were the prime cause of river pollution. Industrial effluents directly get mixed into city sewage and were ultimately discharged into the river due to unavailability of metal removing technologies, he added.

Govt should ensure ‘aviral’ flow of Ganga, says environment scientist BD Tripathi (Times of India)

Times of India direct link
VARANASI: After the UPA government constituted the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) in 2009 and announced "Mission Clean Ganga by 2020", the NDA government led by Narendra Modi has set a target to clean the holy river in the next 18 years. But a top Ganga expert claims that what is missing in the new plan is a provision for uninterrupted flow of the river. 

The Central government recently placed a blue print before the Supreme Court on short, medium and long term measures worth thousands of crores to be executed in the next 18 years to restore the glory of the Ganga. 

It said in the affidavit that 118 towns situated on the bank of the Ganga have been identified as a first target to achieve total sanitation, including waste-water treatment and solid waste management. In order to ensure rejuvenation of the Ganga, the action plan envisages phase-wise timeline: short term—a period of three years, medium term —a period of next five years and long term — a period of next ten years and more. 

Further, the ministry of urban development identified 118 urban habitations on the banks of the Ganga for extending coverage of sewerage infrastructure at the estimated cost of Rs 51,000 crore and also to make 1,649 gram panchayats located along the Ganga free from open defecation. 

"But what is missing in the Modi government's approach is 'aviralta' (free flow) of the Ganga. The plan's major thrust is on pollution abatement only, while the most important issue, i.e, of uninterrupted flow, has been given the least importance," said environment scientist B D Tripathi.

Tripathi had also written a letter to the Prime Minister to draw his attention to the issue of ensuring unobstructed and uninterrupted flow of the river. 

"The present need of the Ganga is its 'aviralta' and 'nirmalta' (cleanliness). However, during the Ganga Manthan programme organized recently in New Delhi, nobody discussed the modality of increasing the flow of water in the Ganga and maintain the sanctity of Gangajal released from Gomukh," Tripathi wrote in his letter to the PM. 

Tripathi said, "in place of restoration of the glory of Gangajal, the ministry has announced commercialization of its water without discussing the environmental impact of dredging or running motor operated ships. Impact assessment of commercial activities on micro and macro flora and fauna of the river, which maintain the 'Ganga ecosystem' besides religious and socio-cultural rituals performed on its banks is also important." 

On the issue of barrages on the river, Tripathi said: "As Farakka barrage on the Ganga has imposed several environmental problems, the government should study the impact assessment before building new barrage." 

After the NGRBA was set up in 2009, it was decided to achieve "Mission Clean Ganga" by 2020. It was to be ensured that by 2020 no untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluent drained into the Ganga and the investment required to create necessary treatment and sewerage infrastructure to be shared suitably by the Central and state governments. The World Bank approved a fund of $ 1 billion to achieve the objective of Mission Clean Ganga. 

Govt should ensure ‘aviral’ flow of Ganga, says environment scientist BD Tripathi

Link to News published on Economic Times published on 25th of Sept 2014
VARANASI: After the UPA government constituted the National Ganga River Basin Authority(NGRBA) in 2009 and announced "Mission Clean Ganga by 2020", the NDA government led by Narendra Modi has set a target to clean the holy river in the next 18 years. But a top Ganga expert claims that what is missing in the new plan is a provision for uninterrupted flow of the river. 

The Central government recently placed a blue print before the Supreme Court on short, medium and long term measures worth thousands of crores to be executed in the next 18 years to restore the glory of the Ganga. 

It said in the affidavit that 118 towns situated on the bank of the Ganga have been identified as a first target to achieve total sanitation, including waste-water treatment and solid waste management. In order to ensure rejuvenation of the Ganga, the action plan envisages phase-wise timeline: short term—a period of three years, medium term —a period of next five years and long term — a period of next ten years and more. 

Further, the ministry of urban development identified 118 urban habitations on the banks of the Ganga for extending coverage of sewerage infrastructure at the estimated cost of Rs 51,000 crore and also to make 1,649 gram panchayats located along the Ganga free from open defecation. 

"But what is missing in the Modi government's approach is 'aviralta' (free flow) of the Ganga. The plan's major thrust is on pollution abatement only, while the most important issue, i.e, of uninterrupted flow, has been given the least importance," said environment scientist B D Tripathi. 

Tripathi had also written a letter to the Prime Minister to draw his attention to the issue of ensuring unobstructed and uninterrupted flow of the river. 

"The present need of the Ganga is its 'aviralta' and 'nirmalta' (cleanliness). However, during the Ganga Manthan programme organized recently in New Delhi, nobody discussed the modality of increasing the flow of water in the Ganga and maintain the sanctity of Gangajal released from Gomukh," Tripathi wrote in his letter to the PM. 

Tripathi said, "in place of restoration of the glory of Gangajal, the ministry has announced commercialization of its water without discussing the environmental impact of dredging or running motor operated ships. Impact assessment of commercial activities on micro and macro flora and fauna of the river, which maintain the 'Ganga ecosystem' besides religious and socio-cultural rituals performed on its banks is also important." 

On the issue of barrages on the river, Tripathi said: "As Farakka barrage on the Ganga has imposed several environmental problems, the government should study the impact assessment before building new barrage." 

After the NGRBA was set up in 2009, it was decided to achieve "Mission Clean Ganga" by 2020. It was to be ensured that by 2020 no untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluent drained into the Ganga and the investment required to create necessary treatment and sewerage infrastructure to be shared suitably by the Central and state governments. The World Bank approved a fund of $ 1 billion to achieve the objective of Mission Clean Ganga. 

Prof. B D Tripathi on CNN IBN

Prof. Tripathi interview on CNN IBN (Link to Video)

गंगा की बदहाली जानने की कोशिश NDTV

Direct Link to Video

ऐसा माना जाता है इलाहाबाद में संगम में डुबकी लगाने से आपके सारे पाप धुल जाते हैं, लेकिन गंगा यहां अपने पानी में सिर्फ पाप ही नहीं ढोती, बल्कि इसमें तमाम किस्म की गंदगी भी मिली रहती है। देखिये गंगा में बढ़ते प्रदुषण पर एनडीटीवी की यह खास पेशकश और प्रो. त्रिपाठी का साक्षात्कार.

NDTV India 18 साल में साफ़ हो पाएगी गंगा!

NDTV Video

SC raps Modi govt for lack of urgency in cleaning River Ganga

News link

New Delhi, Aug 13: A Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice TS Thakur told the Central government, “The issue of cleaning Ganga is very important and it has to be put on front burner.”

Solicitor General Mukul Rohatgi had appeared for the government and sought two weeks adjournment on the issue.

The Court told the Solicitor General, “Are you saving the holy river. You are showing no urgency in this matter. But only in other matters.”

Highlights

SC raps Modi govt for lack of urgency in cleaning River Ganga

Apex Court slams govt for not setting priorities right

SC asks for status report on government’s action plan to make Ganga pollution free

Solicitor General Mukul Rohatgi had sought two weeks adjournment on the issue

PM Modi was elected in Lok Sabha from the riverside city Varanasi in May

Modi government allocated Rs 2,040 crore for a fresh ‘Ganga Mission’

The Court also sought a status report on the government’s action plan to make the Ganga pollution free along with the roadmap on the action to be taken and the steps in that direction.

Cleaning the holy river Ganga is believed to be one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet projects.

Modi was elected in May to the Lok Sabha from the riverside city Varanasi and he had pledged to get the holy river clean referring it to as ‘Maa Ganga’.

The Apex Court has been dealing since last 19 years with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to restore lost glory of river, which many even term as a ‘sewage line’.

In its first budget, Modi government had allocated Rs 2,040 crore for a fresh ‘Ganga Mission’.

Existence of Ganga in danger, says environment scientist Prof B D Tripathi

Ganga in danger: Prof B D Tripathi

New Delhi: Existence of Ganga in danger, says environment scientist Prof B D Tripathi

New Delhi, June 8 2014: The existence of Ganga is in danger and the pollution of the river is a secondary issue, a renowned environment scientist has said and urged the NDA government to launch a “Save Ganga” programme.

B D Tripathi, an expert member of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), also requested the Narendra Modi government to make active the Prime Minister-chaired body saying it was virtually non-existent during the UPA rule. “My observation on the basis of my research for the past four decades is that the problem of pollution is secondary and the main problem now is the existence of Ganga. It is in danger,” Tripathi told PTI.

“The mission should be called Save Ganga not Clean Ganga,” he said.

According to him, Ganga is facing a problem of what he termed as ‘triple three’. “They are reduced water flow, reduced water carrying capacity and reduced water quality that is pollution,” he said.

Blaming the “indifferent attitude” of the previous government for the failure of the Ganga Action Plan, Tripathi said that considering the Modi government’s seriousness on Mission Ganga, NGRBA should be made functional now.

“Being an expert member of NGRBA, I have raised this issue several times but the previous government had an indifferent attitude towards this cause that resulted in failure of various projects so far.

“There have been only three meetings of NGRBA in the past four years. Now since Narendra Modi himself has mission Clean Ganga on his priority list, so it is high time to make NGRBA functional,” he said.

Tripathi, also a coordinator for Centre for Environmental Science and Technology at the Banaras Hindu University, has been associated with the cause since 1972. The Centre has given Ganga the status of national river and constituted NGRBA in February 2009. The objective of the authority is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of Ganga by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management.

“Government has declared Ganga as a national river but till now there is no policy or planning made in this regard. Ganga flows through five states (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal) and they exploit it in their way,” Tripathi said.

“Centre gives 85 per cent of funds and rest 15 per cent is contributed by states but there has been no monitoring at any level. After five years, you come to know about the failure of the plan but who is accountable for that,” he asked.

He maintained that the Centre should see the problem in its entirety. “Almost Rs 1500 crore were spent on GAP 1 and projects amounting to Rs 20,000 crore are still running. Government must fix accountability and there should be monitoring after every three months. Monitoring committee should consist of technical experts,” he said.

Suggesting long term measures to address these problems, he said that there should be a complete

ban on construction of big dams at the source of its streams and usage of alternative power generating methods is must.

“Eight streams of Ganga originate from Gangotri glacier but the main ones are Bhagirathi, Mandakini and Alaknanda. All the proposed dams near the source should be cancelled. They can construct small dams,” he said.

According to Tripathi, the whole Uttarakhand region is low pressure zone where the wind velocity is very high so electricity can be generated through windmills like Europe. “As far as the reduction of ground water level is concerned, rainwater harvesting should be implemented strictly,” he suggested.

Modi Ji Gomukh Se Ganga Ko Laye Kashi; Prof. B.D. Tripathi

Prof. B D Tripathi Discussed GangaWater Pollution on Mahua TV

AVIRALATA & NIRMALATA OF RIVER GANGA

River Ganga is the basis of life and principle source of socio-economic, cultural, religious and environmental development of its highly productive and densely populated basin. During past a few decades, the continuous decrease in the flow of water has fragmented the river and imposed serious threat to river Ganga ecosystem besides its pollution. The Nirmalata (pollution free water) of Ganga water is dependent on its Aviralata (free flow of water) henceforth, River Ganga Conservation Programme (RGCP) should focus on the following:

1. HOLISTIC ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

• Human life on earth is governed by the Nature; henceforth,  River Ganga Conservation Programme can only be achieved through holistic ecological approach based on self regulatory mechanism and regeneration abilities to maintain the homeostasis in Ganga ecosystem.
• Numerous micro and macro organisms associated directly or indirectly with Ganga River, manage the river ecosystem through food chain, nutrients cycling, decomposition of pollutants and bio-geo-chemical cycles.
• Green belt of resilient and ecologically adaptable plant species on both banks of river will solve the non point pollution problem of the Ganga River. Green belt will act as kidney in filtering the pollutants and also check the soil erosion.

2. WASTEWATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

• Point pollution sources like city sewage and toxic industrial effluents should be treated in specific treatment plants before release into river. 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, Kanpur, Hardwar etc. 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.
•  Higher dilution zones of the river Ganga be examined and preferred as disposal sites.

3. EVALUATION OF GAP – I AND GAP – II SHORT COMINGS
       Following short comings of GAP – I and GAP – II be examined carefully:

• Accumulation of persistent toxic chemicals in crop plants, vegetables and fruits etc. due to irrigation with treated water released from existing STPs.
• Mostly STPs were constructed on highly fertile croplands ignoring the basic principles of eco- resource management.
• STPs were not designed for long term sustainability.
• Lack of individual responsibility and accountability for failure of various projects.
• Ignorance of temporal and spatial variability during data generation.
• Lack of local technical expert monitoring committees at grass root level.

4. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

• 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 and separate washing ghats at downstream be established.

5. LAND USE POLICY FOR RIVER BANK

• Unauthorized constructions and encroachment near the banks and its catchment areas be stopped immediately to maintain the natural flow.

6. MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS

• 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.
• All new projects be examined by a team of multidisciplinary experts before its implementation. 

7. RAIN WATER HARVESTING, GROUND WATER RECHARGING AND  

    IRRIGATIONAL 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.
• Development and adoption of micro level irrigational techniques be adopted to save the huge loss of Ganga water through flood irrigation practices.

8. GANGA WATER USERS POLICY

• Maintenance of optimum ecological flow in the river Ganga and its tributaries.
• Non-consumptive activities (e.g. fishery, aquaculture, navigation etc.) of Ganga water be encouraged.
• Mechanism for restoration of Ganga ecosystem.
• Policy for the check and balance of natural resources.
•  Policy for involvement of Ganga users in various projects.
• Mass awareness programs through documentaries, Nukkad natak, literature and public lectures be organized at school/college level.

9. ESTABLISHMENT OF GANGA RESEARCH INSTITUTE & GANGA  

     KNOWLEDGE CENTRE AT VARANASI

• In the second meeting of NGRBA held on 1st November 2010  under chairmanship of the Hon’ble Prime Minister it was resolved that “A dedicated institution for Ganga related R&D activities should be setup at Varanasi as a part of NGRBA”. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a dedicated Ganga Research Institute at Varanasi.

• The Ganga Knowledge Centre (GKC) established in New Delhi (till date non-functional) should be shifted to Varanasi, which is the centrally located place in the Ganga Basin.

10. DIRECT CONTROL OF THE CENTRAL GOVT. OVER IMPLEMENTATION        

      OF ALL GANGA PROJECTS

The Ganga was declared National River in 2008, but it is still under the control of five states i.e. Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Each state has its own regulations for the consumption and management of the river water and implementation of the Ganga related projects. Looking to the past failures of the projects implemented by the state governments, it is necessary to have direct control of the central government over implementation of all Ganga projects.

गंगा का सफाई अभियान काशी से (शुक्रवार पत्रिका)

Modi’s Ganga sutra and the politics of Varanasi (Down to Earth)

down to earth link 

May 12, 2014.

·       According to an interview given recently by B D Tripathi, member of National Ganga River Basin Authority, around 32,000 bodies are cremated on the ghats, resulting in 300 tonnes of ash. Worse, 200 tonnes of half-burnt human flesh pollutes the river. Besides, over 3,000 bodies were found floating in the river in a recent survey.

Ganges River: Revered, Soiled and Symbol of an Indian Election Campaign (New York Times)

Link to New York Times

 By SHREEYA SINHA | MAY 14, 2014.

·       Today, three hundred million liters of raw sewage mixed with industrial pollutants are dumped in the Ganges here every day, according to B.D. Tripathi, an environmental scientist and an advocate for cleaning the Ganges.

·       Dr. Tripathi, an environmental science professor at Banaras Hindu University and a member of a government panel studying the Ganges, said the flow of the Ganges is being blocked by dams for irrigation and electricity, limiting its ability to clean itself. Ninety-five percent of the pollution comes from the raw sewage and industrial pollutants pouring into it; the rest is half-burned flesh and religious items, he said. Officials claim they lack the money to build proper water-treatment facilities.

·    “We are converting a river into a pond due to our actions,” said Dr. Tripathi, blaming mismanagement for the many hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the river with little to show for it. Like many here, he believes Mr. Modi is the only candidate decisive enough to save the river.

After ministry for Ganga, a Bill to save the river (Times of India)

   link to the Times of India 

May 28, 2014, 06.37 AM IST.

·       The creation of a ministry for 'Ganga rejuvenation' has raised hopes among those rooting for a clean river. "Delinking the Ganga from the ministry of water resources is the correct step," said B D Tripathi, National River Ganga Basin Authority member and environmental scientist at Banaras Hindu University. "It will now be truly considered a water resource and help ensure its uninterrupted flow".

Pollution clogs India’s sacred Ganges River (The Australian)

link to the Australian  

ROBIN PAGNAMENTA | THE TIMES | JUNE 02, 2014 | 

·        “About 32,000 dead bodies are cremated every year in Varanasi - or 88 every day,” says Dr B D Tripathi, at the Centre for Environmental Science at Banaras Hindu University. “For this, about 16,000 tonnes of firewood is required and during the burning process about 7,000 tonnes of ash is released into the Ganges.” Although the cremation ghats are far from the only source of pollution in Varanasi, a notoriously dirty city of maze-like alleys, ancient temples, mosques and bathing ghats, where 60,000 people wash and swim in the holy river every day, there is no doubt that they are an important contributor.

·       According to the National Ganga River Basin Authority, which is trying to clean up the river, the amount of toxins, chemicals and dangerous bacteria found in it is now almost 3000 times higher than is considered safe by the World Health Organisation.

·       Adding to the problem is the high cost of the fragrant sandalwood and corkwood used in the pyres, which means that many families, cannot afford to cremate their loved ones fully - which leads to up to 300 tonnes of charred human flesh being tossed into the river annually. Industrial effluence, animal corpses and 250 million litres of untreated sewage pumped daily into the river add to the problem.