Descent of Ganga – painting by Raja Ravi Varma Raja Ravi Varma

पवनः पवतामस्मि रामः शस्त्रभृतामहम । झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी ।। 10:31 ॥ - श्रीमद्भगवदगीता

Take 3 steps : 1.Assess Present Scenario 2.Short Term Measures (immediate relief) 3.Long Term Measures (permanent)

1. Present Scenario More than Rs crores already spent for cleaning of the Ganges system. The main focus was on tapping nalas, treating collected sewage in STPs and disposing the effluent in the river.

All nalas could not be tapped, STPs do not give designed quality of effluent and are bypassed very frequently. Low discharge slow flowing rivers are unable purify this type of effluent. Industrial waste disposed without treatment. 1. Contd…..

2. Short term measures (for immediate relief): Inculcate WILL for implementation Give proper funds for maintenance of STPs. Schedule completion of on going sewerage works ( max. in next 12 months).

2. Contd …. At Kanpur, most of the tanneries & leather industries are discharging their effluent either directly to the Ganga or within the earth (polluting underground water). STOP it. Get effluent of STPs / ETPs regularly checked by an independent agency and take punitive action against erring parties.

3. Long term measures: Grow WILL for implementation Ensure public participation – educate, sensitize & discipline people for keeping rivers clean - Minimise & gradually stop construction of STPs. Adopt new methods for treatment of night soil at household level.

3. Contd…… Increase discharge of rivers - ensure continuous flow in rivers, create greenery in catchment basins, recharge ground water, stop/minimise exploitation of ground water, rain water collection

3. Contd…. No building (of any type) will be constructed within 500m from bank of the river. Punish the polluters, stop inflow of all pollutants (domestic, agricultural, industrial etc.) to the river.