At least 51 per cent free flow of water in the Ganga and Yamuna is essential to save the environment and ensure the continued lifeline provided to humans by the rivers.
This was the main demand which emerged at the conclusion of the two-day national workshop on the Ganga and Yamuna organised jointly by the IITians, for Holy Ganga and Ganga Action Parivar (GAP) in Rishikesh on Thursday, with experts from various Indian Institutes of Technology, environmentalists, engineers and spiritual leaders demanding at least 51 per cent free flow of water in both the rivers throughout the year to maintain river bed connectivity and save environment and natural river habitat.
Experts attending the workshop also suggested setting up of a National River Ganga Basin Management Commission under chairmanship of the Prime Minister for finding permanent solutions for both the rivers.
Professor Vinod Tare of IIT Kanpur and coordinator of Ganga River Basin Management Plan established by the Ministry of Environment and Forests said, "Continuity of the river system in both the rivers is a must. Presently the Ganga alone has been fragmented at 11 places with upcoming up and existing dams and barrages whereas continuity of flow is needed for ecosystem and lifeline of inhabitants of the river.
“Presently the Central Government has already agreed on 30 to 50 per cent of free flow of water during different seasons but we are demanding 51 per cent free flow all year round."
GAP founder Swami Chidanand Saraswati said that experts attending the workshop discussed current challenges being faced by both the holy rivers and suggested ways to protect and facilitate free flowing and unpolluted state of the Ganga and Yamuna. The minimum ecological flows of the rivers ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development should be maintained," he stressed.
Former chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board and spokesperson for IITians for Holy Ganga. Paritosh Tyagi stressed on the need for the Central and State Governments to take necessary steps to save the sacred rivers especially as the different Government schemes started in the last few years had left both the rivers more polluted.
Representatives of Sarva Dharma Sansad, Green Pilgrimage Network, The Clean Ganga Initiative and World Conscious Pact were also among those who attended the workshop.