EVER the past few decades, the central and state governments concerned have initiated some positive steps to protect and preserve the fragile ecology in the Himalayas and also allow unchecked flow of the river Bhagirathi till it reaches the plains as River Ganga; one more step recently was the decision to shelve two mega hydroelectric projects, the 381-MW Bhaironghati and 480-MW Pala-Maneri.

Though belated, this decision would help salvage the situation and allow the Bhagirathi to flow in all its glory all through the year. Before this, on August 29, 2009 the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh, at a workshop organised by the Centre for Science and Environment had announced that the construction work of Lohrinag-Pala dam had been stopped. But the fact was otherwise. Construction works at all the dams in Bhagirathi Valley were going on. It is surprising how the government ignored the basic fact that dams were increasing the seismic vulnerability of the entire Himalayas region. For more than two decades, futile attempts were made to impress on the government the need to liberate the Ganga from ecological disaster as the river is not only ‘sacred’ for Hindus, but more than that it is the social and economic lifeline of India. The averseness of the government has been primarily responsible for the drying up of the River Ganga from Uttarkashi to Malda endangering hundreds of species. The Ganga has virtually turned into a dumping site for chemical waste. Some recent studies suggest that drying up of the Ganga is also responsible for depleting of drinking water bed at some places. The Ganga Action Plan, a multilateral plan to protect Ganga, has proved to be a money minting project for some vested interests. While the new approach of the UPA government towards river management needs to be appreciated, the government should also undertake the task to liberate the Ganga and let the water flow.