Contaminated Water In India, Can The Green Movement Help?

by Swapna Harrison
(India)

The groundwater in India accounts for more than 80 percent of the water that irrigates and supplies water to rural agriculture and domestic use. According to the Ministry of Water Resources report in 2000, more than 70 percent of the surface water has already been polluted by toxic organic and inorganic pollutants, biological waste to such an extent that the water has been rendered unsafe not only for drinking, but also for irrigation purposes.

Rivers like the Ganges, which are considered a religious portal to heaven, are among those, which are affected most. This River in particular, has suffered the most in terms of pollution. Described as, Mother Ganga, in India, this is a River that receives not only a huge amount of industrial waste every year, but
add to that the domestic sewage that has almost doubled since the last decade!

As a result, a major portion of the Yamuna River, which is the River Ganges main tributary, has not had any aquatic life whatsoever for more than 10 years now. That is what you call dirty!







Add to that the immersion of the remains of dead bodies that is considered a sacred ritual in Hindu religion. Figures show that in Varanasi region, the coliform bacterial count is some 3000 times more that what is prescribed as safe by WHO (World Health Organization). This bacteria originates from the colon portion of human and animals and cause serious health problems when it mixes with food and potable water supply.

In this battle for prevention of further pollution and purification of this amazing River Ganges, Dr Veer Bhadra Mishra, a temple head priest and a retired professor needs to be commended. Acting as the Director of the Sankat Mochan Foundation, Dr. Mishra has been one of the most active environmentalists to fight for a pure and unpolluted River Ganges. He needs more help.

Concerted effort is required from both government and the regular citizens to actively fight this destruction of nature's treasures, such as the Ganges River, the Holy River of India.


-Swapna H.