The Union Government has initiated discussions with various stakeholders for ensuring a clean and free flowing Ganga. This has been welcomed by environmentalists in Uttarakhand who also stress that simply cleaning the Ganga will not amount to much unless concrete measures are taken to protect and nurture the Himalayas.
Environmentalists point out that the Ganga, its tributaries and other rivers originating in the Himalayas are fed by about 9,000 glaciers. The condition of the Ganga and its tributaries depends on the condition of the glaciers. Numerous rivers and streams originating from Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath play a vital role in nourishing and controlling the Ganga river. According to Suresh Bhai of Uttarakhand Nadi Bachao Abhiyan, “The Gaumukh glacier is reported to be receding at a rate of three metres per year irrespective of the quantity of snowfall as the rate of melting remains greater. The rate of snow melting in the Himalayas increased from 1997 due to climatic changes and the works carried out indiscriminately in the Himalayas in the name of development. The present BJP led Central Government has done well by expanding the ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The campaign for saving rivers which was so far undertaken by environmentalists, members of the religious fraternity and activists has now become a mission for the Government which is an achievement for those already working towards this aim. However, instead of simply cleaning the Ganga, what is needed is ensuring participation of people living along the banks of the Ganga and providing employment to the people who have been protecting natural resources in areas from the source of the Ganga to Gangasagar,” he said.
The activist further stressed that the Ganga cannot exist without the Himalayas so it is vital to reconsider the development model for the Himalayas. “Saving the Himalayas from environmental degradation is vital and for this a specific Himalaya policy is indispensable. There is talk of establishing a Himalaya University though research work conducted by State universities in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and other Himalayan States so far can be used to draft a separate development model for the Himalayas. Parameters used in the plains are being applied in the Himalayas with disastrous consequences like indiscriminate and increased exploitation of the Himalayas, increased pollution in the Ganga and increased rate of floods and landslides,” added Suresh Bhai.