Can the days of two major lifelines of Jharkhand currently gasping for their existence, be transformed everIJ The question has become relevant looking at the non-easing effluent burdens on Damodar and Subarnarekha at one hand while some others are being designated with ‘human status’ in other parts of the country.
Studies over the period of time have suggested that Damodar river passing through the ‘Ruhr’ of the country in Jharkhand studded with host of coal and iron ore mines besides, numerous industrial townships and coal-fired power plants, has reached at a dying stage.
“Damodar has got a dubious distinction of being one of the most polluted rivers of the world. This situation is here for fairly long time. While realising that both Damodar along with Subarnarekha are lifelines of the State and carry not only water but life, the High Court or the Government should initiate action like Uttarakhand did just recently,” said noted environmentalist Nitish Priyadarshi.
Reacting excellently few days after the New Zealand Government bowing to the demands of its aboriginals declaring the Whanganui River as ‘human being’ and according the legal rights to it, the Uttarakhand High Court extended the same status to the Ganga and the Yamuna.
Justices Rajeev Sharma and Alok Singh of the High Court while mentioning and praising the New Zealand’s decision as inspiration also appointed three officials to act as legal custodians of the rivers and ordered that a management board be set up within three months.
“The court observed that being the riparian states, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, have failed in maintaining the rivers and the time has come when Ganga and Yamuna are given their rights into their own hands. Similar action needs to be taken in the case of Damodar and Subarnarekha that have virtually no life left,” said the environmentalist.
Notably, senior Minister Saryu Roy, who is spearheading ‘Save Damodar’ campaign said, “I am trying to generate awareness among the residents along the river banks besides, marking the industries and mining activities causing killer effect to the ‘Dev-nad’. I will submit a report to the Government for appropriate action.”
But then, the Jharkhand High Court while hearing a PIl in 2013 had ruled in favour of the river. The court had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Chatra district to submit a report about the condition of the Damodar along coal mines run by the CCl. later also, a Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice S Chandrashekhar had expressed deep concern over the pollution of Damodar river and directed to conduct day-to-day hearing to complete the proceedings in a speedy manner.
“I have my post-doctoral research on Damodar pollution. Sufficient materials and facts are with me which can help the Court in granting the river the rights of a human being. I would on my part study the orders of the Uttrakhand High Court and find out the basis on which it has been done there. After consulting lawyers I would move to the court,” said Priyadarshi, who believes that the High Court can also take-up the matter suo-moto.
When contacted to know the position of the Government in this regard, Water Resources Minister Chandra Prakash Chaudhary expressing awareness about the statuses instated to Ganga and Yamuna, assured to act.
“I know about such a step being taken in Uttarakhand. I will definitely try to do it here as well. We cannot approach the court at this juncture though it can take-up the matter on its own. On my part, I would discuss this with the Chief Minister,” said the Minister.