Say mere 600 cusec water for downstream is affecting river's health, ecology; salinity on the rise
A petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought that more water be released downstream into Narmada to ensure the river's survival and to prevent adverse impact on the river ecology and environment. The NGT has issued notice to the state, Centre and other respondents in this regard.
The petition filed by Narmada Pradushan Nivaran Samiti (NPNS) and Bharuch Citizen Council has sought directions to the Narmada Control Authority to urgently release more water from the dam.
As against the 600 cusec water that is released downstream, the petition has sought that it be increased to 1500 cusec to ensure survival of the river, which, it alleges has now turned dry and in some places is no more than a rivulet.
It has sought formation of an expert committee that could assess the water flow required in the river for different seasons, thus ensuring that it does not dry up downstream.
Jayesh Patel of NPNS said thank to the meagre 600 cusec water that is being released in the river, the once mighty river is now a drybed in Bharuch.
"Moreover , salinity ingress is on the rise. Earlier, constant flow of enough water would stop the sea water from entering beyond a point. But because the river is no more mighty, the sea water has come way into the river. This has also affected groundwater quality as well the livelihood of fishermen and farmers," said Patel. The petition alleges that the NCA has failed to maintain the required downstream flow for needs of people downstream.
It stated that salinity ingress had now reached 72 km upstream from the mouth of the river due to the reduced flow of water in the river. The lack of enough water has meant that the Narmada river flows backward during tides thus transferring pollution from industries, the petition states.
The petition also stated that several studies by fisheries experts had also pointed out to the serious impact on aquatic biodiversity on the reduction in freshwater flow in downstream of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP).
It also pointed out the reduction and shift in breeding grounds of fish species downstream which has also affected the livelihood of thousands of fishermen.
WATER WOES
- The petition filed by Narmada Pradushan Nivaran Samiti and Bharuch Citizen Council has sought directions to the Narmada Control Authority to urgently release more water
- As against the 600 cusec water that is released, the petition has sought that it be increased to 1500 cusec
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