In an attempt to improve the ecosystem of the Ganga, the Wildlife Institute of India will work on a three-year project to restore certain aquatic species in select stretch of the river. The project has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation at a cost of Rs25 crores.
According to the sources, the institute has selected a river stretch at Narora near Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. Species as turtle, species of fish, otters, crocodiles etc. will be nurtured over a period of three years. Species such as otter feed on dead fish while turtles eat up dead bodies thrown in the Ganga and would thus help in clean up the river. The scientists also added that a microbe called “Bacteria Phage”, is known to devour all the other bacteria and thus help keep Ganga water pure for years. But if the flow of the water is blocked then these microbes will perish. The initiative will be carried out as an experiment to demonstrate the role of restoration of biodiversity in keeping the river clean, said the scientists.
Further, the healthy presence of the aforesaid species would also act as reliable indicators of the improving quality of water, they added. WII will conduct regular surveys on the rate of increase/decrease of the population of the concerned species in the select stretch of the river. Ganga Aqualife Conservation Monitoring Centre will be set up at WII premises as a part of the project. Rescue and rehabilitation centres will also be set up at selected sites. The State departments of forest, irrigation and tourism will also be involved in its implementation.
The local communities will also be involved in the project particularly through the restoration programs. locals living near the river banks will be made aware on the significance of aquatic species so that they do not hunt or harm them. The respective panchayats from the surrounding villages will also be absorbed into the project to gain access into localiites.