Max pollution in Ganga is a high threat to upcoming Prayag (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela 2016.

Greatest show on Earth, Hindu’s Kumbh Mela is threatened by Ganga Pollution! 

Ganga water unfit even for bathing in Allahabad.

Vinod Khanal | TNN | Allahabad | Dec 27, 2015:: Causing an alarm on the eve of Magh Mela here, the Ganga in Allahabad has been found unfit even for taking a dip leave aside its water being used for drinking. The Ganga water samples analysed by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) were found to be containing disease causing total coliform organism (TCO) over 30 times more than the permissible limit.

Thousands of devotees and pilgrims are expected to assemble for the mela beginning January 14.

As per the samples, the total count of serious disease causing organisms in the month of November reveal that the figure stood at staggering 28,000 and 32,000 at upstream and downstream of the river. The count of organism per 100 ml shall be 500 or less in water used for outdoor bathing. Similarly, in the month of October too the figure stood at 31,000 to 34,000.

The Ganga was badly polluted in September as well. The CO count in river water was found at 28,000 and 32,000 upstream and downstream respectively.

Following the increasing count of disease causing faecal organism in Ganga water, the health department which monitors the sanitation and hygiene in the Magh mela area, has this year decided to cover the drains of temporary toilets for kalpwasis in the mela with polyfibre material.

Commenting on the state of affairs, social activist and member of the district monitoring committee, National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), Kamlesh Singh said, “At least 27 nullahs pour sewage into the Ganga and 14 into the Yamuna. Presence of around 28,000 TCO comprising fecal organism in Ganga means the water is no better than that of sewage water.”

He said the pollution level is so high that at Dashaswamedh Ghat here one need not use a microscope to view floating organisms.

The points where sewage water is openly poured into the Ganga include Salori, Shivkuti, Rasoolabad, Mehdauri, Draupadi Ghat, Rajapur and Naya Purwa among others.

Regional officer of UPPCB S B Franklin said that total coliform organism comprises of all forms of organism including faecal ones.

“CO is necessary for acquatic life and humans to sustain. But there is a upper limit to it above which it is not acceptable,” said Franklin.

He said in place of politicising the issue, people need to be made aware.

POST SCRIPT: Seeing the severity, Hindu Existence Forum already communicated the matter to Sadhvi Uma Bharti to take necessary action. Excerpts: 

To,

Sadhvi Umashree Bharti,

Hon’ble Union Minister,

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation    -and-

The Chairperson, National Mission for Clean Ganga,

New Delhi.

 

SUBJECT: DANGEROUS POLLUTION OF GANGA WATER AND UPCOMING EXTENDED HARIDWAR KUMBH MELA, 2016 (JANUARY/MAKAR SANKRANTI – APRIL/CHAITRA PURNIMA).

 

SadhviJi Sadar Naman. Jayatu Jayatu Gange. Namami Namami Gange.

……..

Madam, from the above report, we can judge the perilous condition of Ganga water which is daily part of life of the citizens of India reside both the banks of our heritage river and as a matter of fact, an essential point of religious belief and veneration of crores of devout Hindus as well.

Madam, it will be a very sinful and irresponsible work on our part, if we cannot take drastic steps to prevent or low down the scale of pollution in Ganga water during ensuing Kumbha Mela at Haridwar from January to April 2016.

In this line of action, (i) we must stop the illegal slaughter houses and (ii) tanneries which pollute the nearby Ganga water in large scale.

With these, (iii) we must stop out letting the poison materials from all the chemical factories into Ganga water and (iv) preventing putting all Municipal sewerage materials into Ganga without recycling.

IF WE DON’T TAKE ACTIONS ON THE FOUR POINTS (i-iv) MENTIONED ABOVE AT ALL VULNERABLE POINTS, THE SANCTITY OF ARDHA KUMBH 2016 AT PRAYAG (ALLAHABAD) WILL BE VIOLATED VERY VERY UNFORTUNATELY.

In this context, I humbly request you to take necessary action on your part and by the respective agencies to keep clean the Ganga water during Kumbh Mela and further with your right initiatives and instructions.

With best of our Regards,

Sincerely yours,

Upananda Brahmachari,

Chairperson, Hindu Existence Forum,

Editor, www.hinduexistence.org .

Email: upananda.br@gmail.com / hinduexistence@gmail.com