River Yamuna is the longest and second largest tributary of River Ganga. On the Bandarpoonch peaks of Himalayas, its catchment is the sacred Yamunotri Glacier. Flowing for 1,376 kms until uniting with River Ganga at Prayagraj, it makes 40.2% of the Ganges Basin. About 57 million people consume water directly from the river. It’s a hotspot for various phytoplankton, plants, turtles, fishes, alligators etc. and in itself serves as a food web carrying a wide range of species from primary to tertiary trophic levels. The river with its heavy silt deposit creates a highly fertile Yamuna doab alluvial land which is important for the cultivation of many essential and commercial crops. There are many other ecological, cultural, historical and communal assets associated with the river. It is a source of life for many and hence is titled as ‘mother’. With regret, our mother’s health has been declining at an alarming rate and her children aren’t tending to the ailment, rather we are the ones responsible for it.
Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the country, to the extent that in some regions none of the life forms other than pathogenic microbes can survive in it. Some parts of its basin have deteriorated to the degree that no treatment can make it suitable for satisfying any human greed. Due to over consumption and consistent exude, once a perennial river, now flows in fragments, while disappearing in some portions of its course during drier seasons. We humans have mistreated Yamuna to the point that it may resolve into earth. Yes, it won’t be wrong to say that the river is dying and in the years to come, its existence itself will be questionable.
If Yamuna is the mother, Delhi is its most obstinate child. With ever so declining groundwater, though the river is the saviour for the national capital, its ‘civilised’ citizens are not willing to realise that they themselves are killing their only lifeline. It is comparatively less polluted before coming to Palla region of NCR but as it exits Delhi from Okhla barrage, the water is so contaminated that it is unfit for any use. The Namami Gange is a flagship mission to achieve for the current government. It is vital to understand that cleaning of Yamuna is as indispensable as cleaning of river Ganga for the mission to flourish.
Understanding the desperate need of attention for the river’s affliction, we have decided to share the story of OUR WOUNDED MOTHER: River Yamuna. In this agenda, we shall call attention to the causes of deterioration in the river’s wellbeing, and the consequences endured by the river, its ecosystem and humans. Government initiatives, suggestions and our role as responsible citizens shall also be mentioned.
This agenda is a sincere endeavour for the rejuvenation of River Yamuna and requests the readers to contribute their part by making themselves aware of the problem, suggesting and adopting alterations in policies, approach of the project and lifestyle. Every effort in the project is made for the viable future of Delhi public.