How is Ganga's water unfit for bathing?
The water quality of Ganga River where devotees take a dip every year, is unfit even for bathing. A recent map published by the
Central Pollution Control Board has revealed that water in nearly a dozen major
stretches of the Ganga in West Bengal is highly polluted. The given map marks
the areas with red dots where the water of Ganga remains unfit for bathing.
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| The Pollution in Ganga - Shown by Red. |
The map shows that the water
pollution level in Kolkata and other parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. However, with
rainfall the pollution level in the Ganga seems to be a little lower due to
increase in the flow of water. Once the monsoon comes to an end the quality
of pollutants gets even higher.
Reason for Producing the Map- The map was published
after National Green Tribunal has asked from Central Pollution Control Board to
display a prominent map showing where the river water was fit for bathing and
drinking. This was done by NGT to aware people that bathing and drinking the
polluted water will bring serious health hazards.
The Government Contradicts
with the Map-
The shocking revelation
comes at a time when the union government has claimed several times that the
Namami Gange Project, with a budget of Rs 20,000 crore, has achieved
considerable success. That seems huge loss according the consideration of the
report.
How to measure the quality
of water?
There are certain
factors like – temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
and Coliform (A bacteria that is found in human faecal) are considered
while measuring the quality of water.
The coliform bacterium
is ten times more than permissible limit. Other parameters are also not good.
River expert has revealed that coliform
bacteria, mainly found in sewage are a major cause for concern due to its large
presence in the Ganga.
Reasons for Pollution-
1.
There was no proper mechanism development to bring better
sewage and drainage system.
2.
The mechanism lacks proper framework and administrative work.
3.
Ignorance and corruption are the major issue where Government
treasure goes in to the corrupt officers’ pocket.
4.
State governments are equally responsible for such huge loss of
thousands of Crore rupees. State politicians are not bothered to inspect as
they don’t know the severity of polluted water, where thousands of people dip
in to the Ganga river with the illusion of sacredness.
5.
Besides of such flagship program of Clean Ganga,
water quality is extremely poor in several states. After spending more than
2o,000 crore the result is zero.
Conclusion
Major steps are needed
to improve such severe issue; government should consider the CPCB report and
take serious actions against corrupt public servants. There is an urgent need of
developing the proper inspection mechanism, which will further improve water
quality.
More experts from relevant fields should be
heard, and be given an opportunity to help in improving the river condition.
