Danger to GANGA
nlok...@gmail.com
Today's New Indian Express has a news item saying that the river Ganga
is under grave threat from global warming. The scientists studying the
river have found out that the river is drying very fast at the rate
of 40 yards a year and could disappear within another twenty five
years.
Ganga is a perennial river which means it has water through out the
year, even in summer by the melting of the glaciers which recoup their
strength in the winter and non summer times. According to UN climate
experts the Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2030 when the
temperatures rise similar to the defrosting our Fridge. When Ice
accumulates in our freezer we switch off the fridge by pressing the
DEFROST switch. The ice melts and come out as water which we throw
out. It takes time again to build the ice formation. Similar is the
case with the glaciers. It takes thousands of years to build in a slow
and steady manner. And it is melting very fast as in the case of the
Fridge without current
What will happen if the glaciers melt? Initially it will flood all the
rivers fed by it destroying all the towns, cities and fields on its
way. This will result in lower agricultural production and famine. It
seems about 50 crore (500 millions) people are dependant on the Ganges
water, as it is the biggest river in India, for their drinking,
farming and food needs. And after the flood the rivers will dry up and
all the people who are dependant on that will have no avenues for
water other than waiting for rains and using that water.
Ganga (Ganges) is the most polluted river in India. The people who
worship it as mother are the same who pollute it to the maximum by
letting out sewerage into it, discharging industrial pollutants,
chemicals, dead bodies and every thing under the sun into it. Most of
the states in India who are not on the shores of a sea or ocean
discharge their sewerage into the rivers without even treating it.
So unless the Government of India and the concerned states take
action, the end is fast approaching for the demise of the holy Ganga.