Suggestions to solve the problem of mother Ganga

Congratulations to Shri Narendra Modi ji for holding the chair of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and creating separate ministerial arrangement to solve the problem of mother Ganga. However, before execution of any new program on Ganga following may be important to keep in the mind.
Continuous decrease in the flow of water during past a few years has induced fragmentation of the National River Ganga and it has imposed a serious problem to the nation and threatened the lives of 450 million people
Decrease in the velocity and quantity of Ganga water has adversely affected its dilution factor rather self purifying capacity. Hence, without any further addition in the quantity of pollutants, the intensity of Ganga water pollution has been increased
Decrease in the flow of Ganga water is the probable reason by which all efforts made by the government during past a few decades to control the pollution of river Ganga has not been visualized
Mother Ganga is suffering with the “triple R” problem i.e. Reduced ecological flow, Reduced water carrying capacity and Reduced quality i.e. Pollution of water
The problem of mother Ganga is a multi-ecosystem problem. Henceforth, only holistic approach can save the Ganga.
Aforsaid problems may be solved as:
Ganga has been declared as the National river in 2008; however, till date it is under the control of 5 states i.e. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Each state has its own regulations for the consumption and management of the river water. Henceforth, central government is not able to implement required projects for the conservation.


1.  A new regulation act is required to put the Ganga under the control of Central government.

2.  Present technologies used for the generation of hydropower in Uttarakhand is distructive at the ecosystem level and non eco-friendly.
Uttarakhand is under low pressure zone having high wind velocity. Henceforth,Wind power mills may be an option for the power generation.


3. Construction of big dams on main head streams of the Ganga is reducing the flow of Ganga water and changing its natural quality. Henceforth, a number of small dams may be constructed on the side streams and used for hydropower generation. Construction of small dams on side streams shall be eco-friendly.


4. Extraction and diversion of huge quantity of Ganga water should be minimized with the instructions to the consumers to become self sustainable. So that, in future complete ban be created on the huge extraction of water


5. Encroachment of the Ganga land on its both sides has reduced the water carrying capacity of river Ganga henceforth, encroachment of land on both the bank side be banned immediately.


6. Existing sewage treatment plants are not appropriate henceforth, all should be renovated as per requirement.


7. Imported technologies for the pollution control or wastewater treatment must be tested under Indian condition.


8. Consumers of the Ganga water be associated with different projects of the Ganga.


9. Appropriate policy be framed for the establishment of treatment plants, extraction of Ganga water and discharge of wastewater.


10. Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharging technologies be adopted immediately in different zones of the Ganga basin.


11. In order to implement the projects effectively an efficient monitoring committee consisting experts from different fields be constituted for regular trimonthly monitoring.


12. Gomukh to Bay of Bengal (2525 Km) Ganga consists of three different ecosystems with specific characters. Henceforth, detailed investigations on different eco-system components may provide better tool to conserve the Ganga.

Need a clean Ganga: Modi

Need a clean Ganga: Modi Direct link to news

Need Need a clean Ganga: Modi

Interview of Prof. B D Tripathi with DNA on Modi's Ganga Cleaning Programme

PM-elect Narendra Modi performs the Ganga Puja with BJP president Rajnath Singh (2nd R) and other leaders in Varanasi. Modi was in the constituency for the first time after winning the Lok Sabha election AFP


Need a clean Ganga: Narendra Modi (Click here for DNA webpage)

Prof BD Tripathi, co-ordinator of the Centre for Environment Science & Technology at the Banaras Hindu University, is one of the pioneers of scientific research into Ganga water pollution. A non-official member of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), he has been associated with initiatives to clean the river since 1980 and has seen up close how the efforts have been bungled by poor management, lack of political will, corruption and lack of scientific understanding of river problems. But with Narendra Modi as prime minister, especially aftet his winning elections from Varanasi, he's hopeful about Ganga again, he tells dna.

Q: Starting from 1986, there have been three large central plans to clean up the Ganga -- the Ganga Action Plans I & II and now the NGRBA. The government has spent close to Rs 20,000 crore on them. Why have they all failed? Why is the river still so polluted?
A: The main problem with Ganga is not pollution – it's that both the flow of the river and the quantity of water have gone down. This has led to siltation and the depth of the river has decreased. Encroachment along the riverbed has constricted the river, so in many places, it's not a river but a pond. This has reduced the river's self-purifying capacity. So even if there was less pollution in the river, it will not improve water quality.

I conducted a water analysis for BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) on the Ganga during Kumbh Mela last year. Ten crore people dipped in the Ganga at Allahabad and they should have driven the BOD levels up, normally in the range of 3 mg/l to 20-25 mg/l. But we found that the levels increased only to 7-8 mg/l. This was because, for once, the Centre decided to increase the river flow, by directing water from Tehri dam. If you increase the flow, automatically, Ganga will be 80-90% pollution-free.

Q: So why is so little water flowing downstream now?
A: Because of the dams that have been built in Uttarakhand on the Alakananda, Bhagirathi and Mandakini rivers. This is a political issue, related to the states' power requirement. But why build dams on the main channels of the rivers? You can have smaller power plants on the tributaries.

Midstream, too, water is being diverted for drinking and irrigation. Groundwater is being extracted all along the Ganga basin. There is urgent need to implement rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Q: Clearly states with different political dispensations and different concerns do not care about conserving Ganga...
A: The law says states have authority over rivers which flow through them. Five states now have control over Ganga. It's time we had a law that gives the Centre control over the river. After all, it contributes 85% the finances to managing the river.

Q: Under Ganga Action Plans I & II and NGRBA, a number of sewage treatment plants (STPs) came up all along the river midstream. Why does the river still continue to be a cesspool?
A: STPs were built at a cost of Rs 40-50 crore each. They were based on foreign technology and equipped only to treat sewage. But a lot of cottage industries in Kanpur, Varanasi and Allahabad empty their industrial wastes into the sewer lines. The STPs are not equipped to handle this and the treated water continues to flow into the river with heavy metals like cadmium and chromium.

Q: Have IITs submitted comprehensive river basin management plans they were asked to prepare?
A: Not yet.

Q: What is the principal problem with cleaning up the river? Is it lack of political will?
A: The Ganga was declared a national river in 2009, but there has been no policy and no proper planning. There is no monitoring of plans, with mismanagement compounding the problems created by faulty planning. Our politicians just don't seem to be serious.

One of the good things the NGRBA did was to facilitate co-ordination between the Centre, state and local bodies of the five states. Each state would have its own Ganga Conservation Authority and municipal corporations would also be members. But in UP, the NGRBA met only thrice in three years; in Bihar it had no meetings.

Neither the central or state pollution control boards are serious about getting industries to stop draining effluents into the sewers. The PM is the chairman of the NGRBA, and in states, the authority is under the CMs. Experts enjoy only an advisory capacity. Politicians are the implementation authorities. It's because they are not serious that the Ganga is in such a sorry state.

As PM, Manmohan Singh made one landmark contribution when he stopped 13 projects on the Bhagirathi and declared 130 km of the river from Gomukh to Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone. He should have done the same with Mandakini and Alakananda. But he did not get time to attend meetings, caught up as he was in various scams. Under him, the NGRBA did not meet in the last three years. It had just one meeting on April 17, 2011.

Q: The Ganga issue has again gained political traction with Narendra Modi saying that he wants to free the river of pollution.
A: I am very hopeful now . As PM he will be chairperson of the NGRBA. He is a doer. I will write to him soon about these issues.

Q: But do you think he can do with Ganga what he did with Sabarmati?
A: Modi has said that he wants to replicate the Sabarmati model on the Ganga. But the Sabarmati is 300-350 km long and the Ganga is 2,500 km. Also riverfront development is not conservation; it's merely beautification. The Ganga doesn't need that. The 80 ghats along Varanasi fulfill that function.

New York Times News article on River Ganga

VARANASI, India — For centuries, Hindus have brought their dead to banks of the Ganges River in this ancient city, with the promise that if their bodies are burned on the riverfront, their souls will escape the constant cycle of rebirth and attain moksha, or salvation. Transporting their souls is the goddess of the river, whose ebbs and flows have run through thousands of years of civilization.

Now this city’s holy waters are at the center of one of the most important elections in India’s modern history as Narendra Modi, the front-runner in the race for prime minister, has made the cleanup of the sacred river a metaphor for his campaign. He says he wants to restore the river’s purity just as he will revive a nation sullied by corruption and stalled by mismanagement and bureaucratic sloth.

There was a time in living memory when the water in the river was clean enough to drink, said Shyamlal Eshad, a boatman in his 50s. 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. The stench along the uneven cobblestone steps in parts of Varanasi is overpowering, and Mr. Eshad laments his goddess in decline.

“I feel Mother Ganga has called me to Varanasi,” Mr. Modi said to a sea of caps, masks and flags in saffron, the color of his Bharatiya Janata Party, at a rally leading up to the voting here on Monday. Results are expected Friday. “I feel like a child who has returned to his mother’s lap,” he said.

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.

“Modi’s approach with Varanasi, is definitely for a lot of Hindus, a call to the ancient past,” said Nilanjana S. Roy, a writer. “It’s an attempt to create a Hindu symbol and it’s a call to clean up the pollution of the culture.” 

For details click on this link

Challenges of River Ganga before Narendra Bhai Modi

Recently during 16^th Loaksabha Election the victory of Shri Narendra Bhai Modi has created a new history in India. Before going for nomination he told “ Maa Ganga ne mujhe bulaya hai” have shown his commitment towards mother Ganga. This was highly appreciated by the environmentalists, technocrats and the common masses because the life of 450 million people is threatened due to fragmentation of river Ganga.

Since, Modi ji has become Prime Minister of India and Chairman of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), I as an expert member of the NGRBA and pioneer scientist working on Ganga for last 42 years, would like to draw his attention towards the following challenges of river Ganga.

1.   Continuous decrease in the flow of water during past a few years has induced fragmentation of the National River Ganga and it has imposed a serious problem to the nation and threatened the lives of 450 million people.

2.    Decrease in the velocity and quantity of Ganga water has adversely affected its dilution factor rather self purifying capacity. Hence, without any further addition in the quantity of pollutants, the intensity of Ganga water pollution has been increased.

3.   Decrease in the flow of Ganga water is the probable reason by which all efforts made by the government during past a few decades to control the pollution of river Ganga has not been visualized.

4.  Mother Ganga is suffering with the “triple R” problem i.e. Reduced ecological flow, Reduced water carrying capacity and Reduced quality i.e. Pollution of water.

5. The problem of mother Ganga is the multidimensional problem, henceforth, only holistic approach can save the Ganga.

Since, mother Ganga is inseparable part of our life and its water is regarded as the most purifier of human body and soul science times immemorial, I would like to request Modi ji to keep aforesaid points in his mind before implementing any further projects to save mother Ganga. 

Prof. B.D.Tripathi, Expert Member, NGRBA, Govt. of India

FIRST PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ON GANGA WATER POLLUTION BASED ON RESEARCH FINDINGS OF PROF. B.D. TRIPATHI AND COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED BY HON'BLE HIGH COURT, ALLAHABAD

First Parliamentary question on Ganga Water Pollution

Parliament question–immediate/today-reply may kindly be sent through special messenger copy of telegramx 2355  2204 New Delhi & ste   112/113 the Vice-Chancellor Banaras Hindu University no. F. 11016/21/80-epc  kindly supply requisite information by 10th July positively to frame reply to loksabha question no. 1464 reproduced below (a) whether it is a fact that environment pollution compounded by the degrading quality of air, water and soil in and around Varanasi is posing a serious threat to public health and plants according to a survey conducted by a team of Banaras Hindu University scientist under the supervision of Dr. B.D. Tripathi. (b) Whether pollution of the Ganga has created a number of problems and (c) if so the steps which government proposed to take to prevent pollution of the Ganga at Varanasi (.) Works.

REPLY TELEGRAM

Works–new delhi  refutels no f.11016/21/80-epc dated 7th and 15th july regarding parliament question on environmental pollution admitted for 21st july (.) Studies by team of BHU scientist under the supervision of Dr. B.D. Tripathi, Centre for Advanced Studies, Botany reveals quote damage to environment around Mugalsarai yard, Vasant paper mill, Manahar insecticide industries and Ramnagar glass works(.) Many fruit bearing trees as also timber severely affected (.) Indicating high level of particulate pollution (.) Gradient of improving vegetation away in areas not affected (.) Discharge of Vasant paper mill into the Ganga near Ramnagar with abnoxious smell causing inconvenience and toxicity to people and plant in the area (.) Discharging of effluent posing serious problem for river water uses of Varanasi(.) Needing extensive studies from pollution points as also to check discharge toxic material in river Ganga (.) Sewage and dirty water discharge from Assi to Rajghat areas of bathing activity generates pollution of Ganga water (.) Requiring proper care or management (.) Unquote suggestion by team quote construction of public lavatories at appropriate places avoiding fecal discharge electric crematoria treatment of sewage settling ponds gas generating unit unquote.

REGISTRAR BHU ,  12 JULY 1980

COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED BY HON'BLE  HIGH COURT, ALLAHABAD

Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India  has been directed by the Hon'ble High Court, Allahabad on 16.09.1998 to constitute the following Technical Experts Committee : Dr. P. Khanna, Director, NEERI, Nagpur Dr. S.C. Mudgal, Senior Advisor, MOEN, New Delhi Mr. S.K. Chawala, Chief Engineer (Ret.) CPWD, New Delhi Dr. G.D. Agrawal, Former Member Secretary, CPCB, N. Delhi Dr. B.D. Tripathi, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Shri M.C. Mehta, Advocate, New Delhi

ACHIEVEMENTS OF PROF. B D TRIPATHI

Awards and Honors

·        Nominated as Expert Member of  National Ground Water Advisory Council 2014

·       Nominated as Chairman of NGRBA-CPCB-BHU, Ganga Research Program, 2012.

·       Awarded with UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship by the University Grant Commission, 2011.

·       Nominated as Expert Member of the National Ganga River Basin Authority, established under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, 2009.

·     Nominated as Expert Member of the State Ganga River Conservation Authority, established under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, 2010.

·     Appointed as Coordinator of the Centre For Environmental Science & Technology, Banaras Hindu University, 2006.

·        Appointed as Coordinator of the Environmental Science, Banaras Hindu University, 1999.

·        Paryavaran Mitra Puraskar, SNTM foundation by Hon’ble President of India, 1991.            

·        Bhagirath Puraskar by Ganga Sewa Samiti, 1999.

·        Kashi Gaurav Puraskar by SAAR Sansthan, 2005.

·        Ganga Bhakt Puraskar by Society for Science & Technology, Allahabad University, 2007.

·     Chief Guest Invited as Chief Guest /Guest of Honor/Chairman & Preside over the Inaugural functions of a number of National and International organizations.

Recognition Abroad:

·    Switzerland: UNEP’S Expert Member, Committee on “Energy and Environmental Policy for Developing Countries" (1983).

·    Austria: Chairman of "New Sewage Treatment Technology” session of Int. Cong. in Vienna (1989)

·        Germany: Delivered lecturer in the University of Kostanz (1989).

·        London:  Chairman (sectional), International Symposium on “Pesticide Pollution” (1992).

CiteAlert: Newly published article on Science Direct

B.D. Tripathi, tripathibd@gmail.com

1. Assessing the genotoxicity of urban air pollutants in Varanasi City using Tradescantia micronucleus (Trad-MCN) bioassay
2. Assessment of water quality of the Ganga river at Varanasi using Trophic Diatom and water quality indexes
3. Anticipated Performance Index of some tree species considered for green belt development in and around an urban area: A case study of Varanasi city, India
4. Phytoremediation of mercury and arsenic from tropical opencast coalmine effluent through naturally occurring aquatic macrophytes
5. Effect of ambient air sulphur dioxide on sulphate accumulation in plants
6. Concurrent removal and accumulation of heavy metals by the three aquatic macrophytes
7. Seasonal variation of leaf dust accumulation and pigment content in plant species exposed to urban particulates pollution
8. Concentrations of heavy metals and aquatic macrophytes of Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar an anthropogenic lake affected by coal mining effluent
9. Evaluation of traffic noise pollution and attitudes of exposed individuals in working place
10. Heavy metals in industrial wastewater, soil and vegetables in Lohta village, India
11. Management of hazardous road derived respirable particulates using magnetic properties of tree leaves
12. Magnetic mapping of fly-ash pollution and heavy metals from soil samples around a point source in a dry tropical environment
13. Assessment of atmospheric PAHs profile through Calotropis gigantea R.Br. leaves in the vicinity of an Indian coal-fired power plant
14. Biomonitoring seasonal variation of urban air polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using Ficus benghalensis leaves
15. Heavy metal pollution induced due to coal mining effluent on surrounding aquatic ecosystem and its management through naturally occurring aquatic macrophytes
16. Dust deposition in a sub-tropical opencast coalmine area, India
17. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and two organochlorine pesticides (DDT and BHC) in crops irrigated with secondary treated waste water
18. Assessment of atmospheric PAHs profile through Calotropis gigantea R.Br. leaves in the vicinity of an Indian coal-fired power plant.
19. Heavy metal contamination of soil, and bioaccumulation in vegetables irrigated with treated waste water in the tropical city of Varanasi, India
20. Ecological investigation of the Ganges River using principal component analysis
21. Magnetic properties of vehicle-derived particulates and amelioration by Ficus infectoria: A keystone species
22. Polynomial regression model for COD-BOD of dairy effluent
23. Dynamics of traffic noise in a tropical city Varanasi and its abatement through vegetation
24. Biomonitoring trace-element levels in PM released from vehicles using leaves of Saraca indica and Lantana camara
25. Application of ozone based treatments of secondary effluents
26. Efficiency of combined process of ozone and bio-filtration in the treatment of secondary effluent
27. Distribution of vehicular pollutants in street canyons of Varanasi, India: A different case
28. Pollution tolerance and distribution pattern of plants in surrounding area of coal-fired industries
29. Seasonal and temporal variations in physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of river ganga in varanasi
30. Comparative assessment of Azolla pinnata and Vallisneria spiralis in Hg removal from G.B. Pant Sagar of Singrauli Industrial region, India
31. Utilization of fly ash in adsorption of heavy metals from wastewater
32. Dynamics of traffic noise in a tropical city Varanasi and its abatement through vegetation
33. Distribution of macrophytes and phytosociology of Hydrilla verticillata Casp. and Lemna minor Linn. in lotic and lentic aquatic ecosystems
34. Size fractionated speciation of nitrate and sulfate aerosols in a sub-tropical industrial environment
35. Principle and process of biofiltration of Cd, Cr, Co, Ni & Pb from tropical opencast coalmine effluent
36. Assessment of total suspended particulate matter-bound polychlorinated biphenyls in ambient air of a seasonally dry tropical urban-industrial area
37. Accumulation of cadmium and copper from aqueous solutions using Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
38. Monitoring of vehicles derived particulates using magnetic properties of leaves
39. A case study of noise pollution in the city of Varanasi
40. Source Apportionment of Wastewater Pollutants Using Multivariate Analyses
41. Biofiltration of secondary treated municipal wastewater in a tropical city
42. Microbial contamination in vegetables due to irrigation with partially treated municipal wastewater in a tropical city
43. Evaluation of Anticipated Performance Index of some tree species for green belt development to mitigate traffic generated noise
44. Chemometric characterization of river water quality
45. Comparative study of various preparation methods of CuO-CeO catalysts for oxidation of n-hexane and iso-octane
46. Effect of aeration and mixed culture of Eichhornia crassipes and Salvinia natans on removal of wastewater pollutants
47. Chemometric characterization of river water quality.

Ph.D. Thesis awarded under Prof. B D Tripathi

1. Menka 2014: Pollution of River Ganga and its Control Technologies”
2. Kshama Singh  2014: Dynamics of River Ganga Water Pollution and its Control Technologies at Mirzapur.
3. Devendra Mani Tripathi 2012: Toxic effect of distillery effluent on population dynamics on Pseudomonas spp. in soil and its Bioremediation
4. Smriti Tripathi 2012: Ecological Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Technologies
5. Archana Mishra 2010: Pollution of River Ganga and its Control at Varanasi
6. Priyadarshini Dixit 2009: Ecological investigation of River Ganga at Varanasi with special reference to Bacterial Pollution
7. Atul Kumar Sharma 2009 :Air Pollution management in the surrounding areas of Thermal Power Plant
8. Vinita Pathak 2009:  Ecological Investigation on certain plants in relation to Noise Pollution Control
9. Santosh Kumar Prajapati 2009: Ecological investigation on Vehicular Pollution and its Impact on Plants
10. Prabhat Kumar Rai 2009:  Ecological investigation on heavy metal pollution of G.B. Pant Sagar and its Phytoremediation
11. Virendra Kumar Mishra 2006: Water Pollution Management in an Open Cast Coal Mine area
12. Sudhir Pandey 2006 : Air Pollution Management in an Open Cast Coal Mine area
13. Anil Kumar Dwivedi 2003:Impact of coal fired industry on surrounding plants and its management.
14. Anil Kumar Pandey 2002: Ecological investigation of certain plants growing in polluted water and their utilization for waste water treatment.
15. Neel Kamal Mishra  2002 : Impact of Thermal Power Plant on Eco-behavior of an aquatic Ecosystem
16. Alka R. Upadhyay 2001: Utilization of aquatic plants for the waste water treatment.
17. U. P. Dwivedi 2000: Impact of different pollutants on the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of selected ponds.
18. Vivek Mishra 2000: Impacts of air pollutants on the Flora surrounding aluminium industry.
19. Shiva Shankar Chaturvedi 1996:  Eco-behaviour of some crops waste water under waste water irrigation.
20. Raghawendra D. Tripathi 1995: Ecological investigation of certain plants in relation in air pollution.
21. Kiran Mishra 1993: Ecology and management of freshwater pond of Varanasi.
22. Jaya Srivastava 1993: Ecological investigation of certain plants of River Ganga in relation to pollution.
23. B.P. Mishra 1992 : Ecological studies on pollution management of River Ganga in Varanasi
24. Deepa V. 1992: Ecological investigation of certain plants with special reference to sewage pollution.
25. Anamika Tripathi 1991:Ambient air quality monitoring of Varanasi city and impact of some important pollutants on local flora.
26. Nagendra Prasad 1989: Ecology of river Varuna at Varanasi with special reference to Bacterial pollution.
27. Suresh Chandra Shukla 1989: Ecological investigation on pollution and management of River Ganga in Mirzapur.
28. Rajanikant Dwivedi 1987 :Ecological investigation on wheat and paddy crops with special reference to sewage irrigation.
29. Mohd. Sikandar 1986: Ecology of river Ganga in Varanasi with special reference to pollution.

Contributions of Prof. B D Tripathi

Brief CONTRIBUTIONS AS:

Teacher

·        One of the best teachers and famous for quality teaching in the Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University. Taught for 35 years at UG & PG classes of Environmental Science, Botany & Environmental Science & Technology including a number of UGC refresher courses, training programmes and delivered lectures in different universities in India and abroad.

 Researcher

·        42 years in the field of Environmental Pollution Control Technologies, Bioremediation, Ecological Conservation, Biodiversity and Resource Management.

·        Ph.D. produced : 29

·        Published: 215 research papers and scientific articles including 9 books. Research papers are published in high ranking International Scientific Journals i.e. British medical journal, Air Water and Soil Pollution, Chemosphere, AMBIO, Atmospheric Environment, Environmental Pollution, Environment International, Journal of Environmental Quality, Bioresource Technology, Ecological Engineering, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Environmental Conservation, Journal of Environmental Management, Journal of Environmental Science etc. Research findings are cited all over the world.

·        Research Projects: Completed 9 major research projects of the University Grant Commission, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India and U.P. State Pollution Control Board etc.

Leadership in Front Ranking “Key” Research Areas

·        River System Analysis and Eco-toxicology

·        Reservoir and Pond Dynamics

·        Air, Water, Noise and  Bio- monitoring

·        In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation of  Biodiversity

·        EIA and ISO Certification

·        Green Belt Development for Noise & Air Pollution Control

·        Cost Effective Wastewater Treatment Technologies

·        Cost Effective Air Pollution Control Technologies

·        Water Conservation, Rain Water Harvesting and Ground Water Recharging

Scientist/Technologist  

Developed following 7 new technologies which are economic & land mark contribution in the field of Wastewater Treatment and Environmental Pollution Management.

·        Stack Pollution Controller (1995). Unique device to remove SPM and toxic gaseous pollutants from all kinds of industrial stacks.

·        Air Pollution Controller for Silver Refineries (1995). Gaseous pollutant NO₂ released from Silver Refineries is recycled, converted to HNO₃ and reused. This device is being used in a number of Indian Silver Refineries.

·        Biological Treatment of Waste Water (1991). This is an eco-friendly technology used for removal of heavy metals and other toxic pollutants from sewage and industrial effluents. This cost-effective technology was highly appreciated by scientists and technologists during Int. Conf. at Vienna and recommended for its application for pollution control in tropical countries.

·        Treatment Technology for Saree Printing Industries (1998). This is the most economic primary wastewater treatment technology and approved by Hon’ble High Court, Allahabad.

·        Treatment Technology for Dairy Waste Water (2003). This low cost technology is developed for tertiary treatment of dairy wastewater with the help of aquatic plants. Technology is effectively used by a number of Dairies in India.

·        Air Pollution Control Technology for Brick Industries (2003). This low cost technology is based on wet scrubber methodology for the removal of particulate matters and gaseous pollutants from stacks of the Brick Industries.

·        Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technology (2010). This is an advanced wastewater treatment technology in which different concentrations of Ozone gas is used for removal of organic materials and bacterial disinfection of the treated wastewater.

Administrator

·        Coordinator: UGC Refresher Courses in Environmental Science and Technology organized to provide extensive teaching and training to university/college teachers in the field of Environmental Science & Technology (2002 & 2007).

·        Convener: Apex Committee of the Banaras Hindu University constituted to introduce environmental education in the university (1999).

·        Coordinator: Air Pollution Management Training Programme, (1995). Six months training programme organized to provide extensive training to BHU students in the field of air quality monitoring, ISO certification, environmental legislations and pollution control technologies for particulate matters and toxic gases.

·        Coordinator: Water Pollution Management Training Programme, (1994). Six months training programme organized to provide extensive training to BHU students in the field of water quality monitoring, wastewater treatment and biological control of water pollution.

·        Coordinator:  Eco-Development Programme of the Sonbhadra District, Govt. of UP (2002). A programme of the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh to create Data Base for Natural Resource Management of the area degraded due to coal mining, thermal power plants and stone crusher industries.

·        Coordinator: Integrated project on River Ganga Water Pollution (1985-2000), twelve departments of the BHU have participated to study different aspects of Ganga water pollution, Sewage Treatment and public awareness programmes.

Founder

·        Founder Coordinator:  Centre for Environmental Science & Technology, Banaras Hindu University, a multi-faculty university centre dedicated for M.Sc. (Tech) & Ph.D., teaching, training, research and ecologically sound technology transfer for sustainable eco-development of the society.

·        Founder Coordinator: Water Conservation Programme of the University initiated to solve the water crisis through rain water harvesting, ground water recharging, training of rural folk, administrative personnel, NGOs and mass awareness.

·        Founder Coordinator: Biodiversity Park of the Banaras Hindu University at RGSC. A unique Biodiversity Park established in 500 acre land dedicated to ex-situ & in-situ conservation of endangered plant species of Vindhyan region and development of Gene Bank.

·        Founder Course Coordinator: M.Sc. Environmental Science, a two year PG course developed to produce Environmental Managers to solve environmental problems.

·        Founder Course Coordinator: M.Sc. (Tech.) in Environmental Science & Technology, a three year new degree course developed to bridge the gap between Science & Technology.

·        Founder President: Environmental Conservation Association (An International Organization working for Environmental Safety and Peace since 1981), a registered Non-Governmental Organization under Society Reg. Act 1860, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 1975, enlisted with the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India. www.ecaindia.org.

Advisor/Consultant

·        Expert Member: National Ground Water Advisory Council, Govt. of India (2014).

·        Expert Member: National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) Govt. of India, established under Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime minister (2009).

·        Expert Member: State Ganga River Conservation Authority Govt. of U.P., established under Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister (2009).

·        Advisor & Consultant: Pollution Control Board, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh (1992-2002) for environmental planning in the state, environmental monitoring in urban and rural areas, effective implementation of policies, eco-friendly technologies and environmental legislations.

·        Scientific Advisor:  Pollution Control Cell of Varanasi Division, (2000). The Cell established under Chairmanship of the Commissioner for effective implementation of the policies, water, air & noise pollution control technologies and environmental legislations at division level.

·        Technical Expert:  Ganga Action Plan, nominated by Hon’ble High Court, Allahabad,
(1998). Hon’ble High Court has constituted an expert committee consisting six experts to examine sustainability of all projects to be implemented for pollution control of River Ganga.

·        Expert member:  UNEP’S Committee on Energy Conservation in Developing Countries, attended meeting, Nov. 21 – 28, 1983 United Nations Office- Geneva.

·        Expert member:  Committee on Ganga Water Pollution Monitoring at Mirzapur and Varanasi (1988 to 1990).

·        Expert member:  Committee to monitor status of the treatment plants in industries constituted by the District Administration of Varanasi.

·        Expert member: A number of executive and academic bodies of the universes, industries, government and nongovernmental organizations.

Social worker

·        Established 12 Water Conservation Societies (WCS) in rural areas of the Varanasi District. 

·        Encouraged women and rural folk for Rain Water Harvesting and Ground Water Recharging.

·        Initiated programs in the rural areas for renovation of dead ponds for their use as water storage system.

·        Provided free Environmental Education to the School Children.

·        Started Technology Transfer Programme (TTP) to provide extensive training to the rural folk for their economic upliftment through various uses of the stored rain water.

·        Created mass awareness among the religious people of Varanasi to use electric crematorium for dead body cremation.

·        Worked for women empowerment to enhance their financial capacity through floriculture, saving credit programs and manufacturing of materials for domestic uses under “Jyoti Nirbal Mahila Vikas Karyakram”. 

·        Established Pollution Testing Laboratory to provide free environmental monitoring facilities and educate the small scale industrial people to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle the waste materials.