The management of solid and liquid waste generated from domestic and industrial sources, preparation of water resources plan for Ganga river basin with wetlands, distributed ground and surface water storage and management of polluted agricultural runoff were the suggestions of the IIT consortium to Centre for its projects to clean the holy river.
The management of solid and liquid waste generated from domestic and industrial sources, preparation of water resources plan for Ganga river basin with wetlands, distributed ground and surface water storage and management of polluted agricultural runoff were the suggestions of the IIT consortium to Centre for its projects to clean the holy river.
In its report for Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP), which dna has access to, it was observed that over-drawl of fresh water from surface and ground water sources for domestic and public activities, discharge of urban waste, dumping of industrial wastes and leakage of industrial pollutants are the human activities "affecting" the aquatic environment.
Filing a copy of report, which was submitted to the water resources ministry in January this year, before the Supreme Court, the government has said that the consortium of IITs suggested actions in eight missions -- for Aviral Dhara (continuous flow), Nirmal Dhara (unpolluted flow) of the river water, ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, geological safeguarding, basin protection against disasters, river hazards management and environmental knowledge building and sensitisation.
As per the report, preparation of water resources plan for Ganga river basin with emphasis on wetlands, forests and distributed ground water and surface water storages rather than large reservoirs storage, reuse and recycling of water, control of water withdrawls in water – depleting regions are some recommended actions for Aviral Dhara (mission 1).
Riverfront development, floodplain management and rejuvination of water bodies, management of solid and liquid waste generated from industrial sources are the actions recommended by the consortium for Nirmal Dhara (mission 2).
For ecological restoration, restrictions on river bed farming and gravel and sand mining, restoration of unpolluted river flows, control of alien species invasions, over fishing and fishing during spawning seasons are suggested by the IITs.
Promotion of organic farming where essential and economically feasible and adoption of conservation of agriculture especially in degrading lands, to enhance long-term soil fertility are the action suggested for sustainable agriculture.
Similarly, improving drainage congestion caused by unplanned rail/road network by providing additional culverts and pathways in some parts of UP and Bihar, designing canals to drain water from permanently waterlogged areas, initiation of flood awareness programme and educating people to move away from flood prone areas are suggested for river hazards management.
The Supreme Court, which has pulled up the Central government for delays in cleaning Ganga earlier, is to take up the PIL next week.
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