Urgent Cleanup Underway on Varanasi Ghats Amid Falling Ganga Water Levels

The decreasing water levels of the Ganga River in Varanasi have left a significant amount of soil on the ghats, prompting an urgent cleanup before major festivals. Local volunteers and NGOs are leading the cleanup efforts, which are crucial to prepare for the influx of visitors during the festive season.

The Ganga River's receding water levels in Varanasi have exposed a considerable amount of soil on the ghats, presenting a substantial cleanup challenge. With festivals like Chhath, Deepawali, Dussehra, and Dev Deepawali on the horizon, the urgency to clear the soil has intensified. The wet soil is easier to remove now but could pose difficulties if it dries out. Both NGOs and local citizens are actively participating in these cleanup operations, recognizing the importance of readying the ghats for the upcoming influx of visitors.

Local residents have started volunteering their time for Shramdaan (voluntary work) to aid in the soil removal. Pawan Bawa, a volunteer, mentioned, 'This is a yearly occurrence, so we engage in Shramdaan. We don't get paid for this; we're not the municipal corporation.' Another volunteer, Aman, explained, 'The cleaning efforts are due to Jitiya. Like every year, we're committed to this task. As the water level decreases, we'll continue the cleanup to facilitate bathing for devotees. The effort will persist until the water level normalizes.'

Akash, another volunteer, added, 'All the silt will be removed. The operation will go on for a month, around the clock.' A pressing concern is the dredged soil washing back into the Ganga, which might raise issues about the riverbed filling up over time. Meanwhile, the national 'Clean Ganga' mission sanctioned five projects worth Rs 73 crore for Uttar Pradesh on September 1. A significant initiative among these is the establishment of a Smart Laboratory for Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi, aiming to harness global expertise and sustainable practices to enhance the Ganga's ecosystem and rejuvenate smaller rivers across India. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)