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<strong>Jiye</strong> <strong>Jamuna</strong>.....<br />

— a ‘yatra’ for a deeper understanding


<strong>Jiye</strong> <strong>Jamuna</strong>...<br />

— a ‘yatra’ for a deeper understanding<br />

1


The water quality report and information is based on one time testing only. Therefore these figures may not be quoted or assumed<br />

as definitive. These are meant only to highlight and appreciate a change in water quality as we progressed along the <strong>Yatra</strong>.<br />

First Published 2008<br />

©Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyan, 2008<br />

Designed by Ivy D’souza<br />

For additional copies and further information, please contact:<br />

Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan<br />

178-F, Pocket-4<br />

Mayur Vihar Phase-I<br />

Delhi 110 091<br />

Telefax: 91-11-22719005<br />

yamunajiye@gmail.com<br />

www.peaceinst.org<br />

2


Content<br />

Acknowledgement 4<br />

Profound Learning from a Child 5<br />

Background 7<br />

List of Participants 10<br />

Day 1 (5 June 2008) 11<br />

Day 2 (6 June 2008) 17<br />

Day 3 (7 June 2008) 23<br />

Day 4 (8 June 2008) 27<br />

Day 5 (9 June 2008) 33<br />

Day 6 (10 June 2008) 39<br />

Day 7 (11 June 2008) 43<br />

Day 8 (12 June 2008) 49<br />

Day 9 (13 June 2008) 53<br />

This report has been<br />

designed and printed by<br />

RESEARCH HOUSE<br />

Saket Community Centre<br />

New Delhi 110 017<br />

P: 91 11 2499 2597, 2686 4020, 2652 2244<br />

F: 91 11 2696 8282<br />

E: envteam@cmsindia.org<br />

www.cmsindia.org/cmsenvironment<br />

Findings 57<br />

Appendices 59<br />

3


Acknowledgement<br />

The nine day Yamuna Satyagrah <strong>Yatra</strong> – <strong>Jiye</strong> <strong>Jamuna</strong>, <strong>Jiye</strong> Jana,<br />

Jana, from 5 – 13 June 2008 over some 300 km from Delhi<br />

to Agra and back along the river would not have happened but<br />

for the following agencies and individuals, whose facilitation and<br />

assistance is gratefully acknowledged:<br />

Agencies<br />

1. Indian National <strong>Trust</strong> for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH),<br />

Delhi<br />

2. WWF India, Delhi<br />

3. CMS Environment<br />

4. Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, Delhi<br />

5. Winrock International-India, Gurgaon<br />

6. Tarun Bharat Sangh / Jal Biradari, Jaipur<br />

7. Youth For Justice, Delhi<br />

Individuals<br />

1. All the participating Yatris<br />

2. Sri S. K. Misra<br />

3. Sri Samar Singh<br />

4. Sri Ravi Singh<br />

5. Dr N. Bhaskar Rao<br />

6. Dr R. Sreedhar<br />

7. Sri Rajendra Singh<br />

8. Sri Sanjay Parikh<br />

9. Dr Parikshit Gautam<br />

10. Ms Alka Tomar<br />

11. Sri Abhinandan Sekhri<br />

12. Sri B. M. S. Rathore<br />

13. Captain Alok Bahuguna<br />

14. Mrs Shashi Bahuguna<br />

15. Dr Shanti Prasad Pokhriyal<br />

16. Sri Kishan Chaturvedi<br />

17. Sri Gopeshwar Nath Chaturvedi<br />

18. Sri Srivats Goswami<br />

19. Sri Raman ji<br />

20. Sri Ashwani Kumar Mishra<br />

21. Sri Ravi ji<br />

Last but not the least we have no words to thank all our gracious<br />

hosts at various places where we halted for the night and the<br />

countless number of villagers who shared with us their wisdom,<br />

understanding and enthusiasm for the cause of the revival of the<br />

river.<br />

Caveat<br />

The water quality report and information is based on one time<br />

testing only. Therefore these figures may not be quoted or assumed<br />

as definitive. These are meant only to highlight and appreciate a<br />

change in water quality as we progressed along the <strong>Yatra</strong>.<br />

4


Profound Learning<br />

From A Child<br />

A fellow yatri recounted at one of our daily briefing sessions<br />

during the recent Yamuna <strong>Yatra</strong>:<br />

“Beta nadi kya karti hei, (son, what does a river do?) we had<br />

asked of a group of giggling yet curious children, at one of<br />

our road side gatherings. One of them after some amount<br />

of persuasion had quipped much to our wonder, nadi behti<br />

hei……. (river flows)”<br />

YES. Nadi behti hei…. Could there be a better understanding<br />

of a river?<br />

It is only a still ‘unpolluted’ discerning mind of a child that<br />

would retain this unique feature of a river. And yet herein lie<br />

the deepest TRUTH of a river!<br />

If there is one single attribute that distinguishes a river from<br />

any other natural system on earth then it is its ability to<br />

flow from origin till confluence. No other ecological system<br />

does this in the said manner. It is this unique attribute of the<br />

river which results in a sphere of influence called the riparian<br />

zone extending on either bank and carrying distinctive soil<br />

conditions and the resulting unique flora and fauna there in.<br />

Again perhaps it is this single attribute of a river which<br />

would have attracted pre historic humans to it leading to the<br />

flourishing of all the ‘great’ river valley human civilizations of<br />

the past as it was the river which was the ready source of<br />

ever renewing fresh water to them, meeting their drinking,<br />

bathing, cleaning, fishing, and transportation needs. No<br />

wonder the rivers came to occupy a role akin to a mother<br />

(maiyya) to them.<br />

In other words if a river is inhibited from its free flow then<br />

it would be like a forceful change in its nature and in turn its<br />

demise as a natural system. Dams, barrages, embankments,<br />

pseudo bridges etc. on rivers with admittedly their own<br />

purpose to serve for the mankind who created them, are<br />

artificial structures that inhibit the free flow of a river. Let us<br />

take the example of Delhi.<br />

Delhi owes its existence to river Yamuna. It had only one<br />

rail cum road bridge over the river till about 1958. The<br />

river water till then was abundant, crystal clear and a joy<br />

to behold and consume. Delhites were then one with their<br />

life-line river.<br />

A serious jaundice outbreak (claiming around 300 lives) in<br />

the city led to the formation of the Wazirabad Barrage over<br />

the river with the objective to separate the city’s drinking<br />

water supplies met from the river away from the polluted/<br />

infected waters of the Najafgarh drain which had presumably<br />

infected the river and caused the jaundice outbreak. It would<br />

soon prove to be a misplaced solution much worse than<br />

the disease, since the wrong ‘culprit’ had been caught and<br />

harnessed. In all fairness it should have been the Najafgarh<br />

drain which should have been taken care of in the best<br />

possible manner so that it did not infect the river waters<br />

again, rather than barraging the river and obstructing its<br />

natural flow.<br />

Soon enough the river downstream of the Wazirabad<br />

Barrage started to lose all its glory so much so that by the<br />

late seventies it had turned into no more than sewage drain<br />

for almost nine months of the year.<br />

The city being the capital of the country attracted people<br />

from far and wide and soon turned itself into a megapolis.<br />

But the river lost not only its pride of place in the city’s<br />

life but faded away even from the public memory. Newer<br />

bridges (pseudo ones) and more barrages (to meet industrial<br />

and irrigation needs) came to be built at two more sites<br />

(ITO and Okhla) on the river. More and more drains started<br />

to bring sewage and muck of the city into the river and its<br />

banks. The river had for all practical purposes ceased to<br />

remain one. All this happened as if the river was meant just<br />

to meet Delhi’s domestic and industrial water needs and to<br />

take away its refuse as its underbelly.<br />

No wonder we heard repeatedly from the local people<br />

during the <strong>Yatra</strong> that it is YOU, people of Delhi, who are to<br />

blame for all the ills that the river is facing today.<br />

5


But what could have been otherwise and is that possible even<br />

now?<br />

Delhi would need to ensure that it remedies the situation<br />

and let the river be. To do so both the Wazirabad barrage<br />

and the Okhla barrage would need to be decommissioned<br />

as a barrage. And the river allowed a free flow within the<br />

NCTD.<br />

Fortunately we still have the above option available to us.<br />

Create an interceptor drain under / alongside the outer ring<br />

road or the Mathura Road from Wazirabad till where it meets<br />

the Agra canal and allow the sewage of Delhi which is today<br />

entering the river, via at least twenty drains starting with<br />

the Najafgarh drain, to get directly through the interceptor<br />

drain into the Agra Canal and away from the river proper.<br />

This would substitute for the role today being played by<br />

the Okhla barrage. Now decommission the Okhla barrage<br />

as being unnecessary. Expensive STPs in the city would<br />

then not even be needed since raw sewage (after filtering<br />

for solid wastes like plastic and ensuring that no untreated<br />

industrial waste has contaminated it) would be fine to meet<br />

the irrigation requirements of downstream Haryana and UP,<br />

the purpose for which the Okhla barrage was created.<br />

Now once the Najafgarh drain (including its tributaries) and<br />

all the other polluting drains falling into the river from the<br />

west of the river have been taken care of then the Wazirabad<br />

barrage can safely be decommissioned with only the bridge<br />

over it staying.<br />

Let the Wazirabad water treatment plant (WTP) then<br />

continue to access secure (without any infection threat) free<br />

flowing river water for meeting the water needs of the city<br />

as it used to do before the Wazirabad barrage was unwisely<br />

created.<br />

In this manner Delhi can show the way forward (in form of<br />

interceptor mechanisms that prevent the city’s sewage to<br />

fall into the river) for the revival of their rivers to the rest of<br />

the country and to the other riparian states of river Yamuna.<br />

But for the scenario as visualized above to become a reality<br />

the river would still require uninterrupted flow of water<br />

downstream of the Hathnikund barrage, 250 km upstream<br />

of Delhi, where the river currently loses major portion of its<br />

non monsoonal water flow to the Western and the Eastern<br />

Yamuna canals. But that’s another, although perfectly doable<br />

story.<br />

Let Delhi, as the nation’s capital city-state lead the way<br />

first.<br />

Manoj Misra<br />

Convenor, Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan<br />

6


Background<br />

Qutub se Taj, Ek hi Awaj – <strong>Jiye</strong> <strong>Jamuna</strong>, <strong>Jiye</strong> Jana, Jana<br />

The Yamuna<br />

Arising from the Yamunotri, river Yamuna flows through a<br />

series of valleys for about 200 Kms, in lower Himalayas and<br />

emerges into Indo-Gangetic plains. Flowing through Poanta<br />

Sahib it reaches Hathnikund/Tajewala in Yamuna Nagar<br />

district of Haryana state, where the river water is diverted<br />

into Western Yamuna canal and Eastern Yamuna canal for<br />

irrigation. During dry season, no water is allowed to flow<br />

in the river downstream to Tajewala barrage and the river<br />

remains dry in some stretches between Tajewala and Delhi.<br />

The river regains water because of ground water accrual and<br />

contributions of feeding canal through Som nadi (seasonal<br />

stream) upstream of Kalanaur. It enters Delhi near Palla<br />

village after traversing a meandering path of about 396 km.<br />

The river is again tapped at Wazirabad through a barrage<br />

for drinking water supply to Delhi. Generally, water flow is<br />

negligible downstream of Wazirabad barrage in dry season.<br />

Water flow in the downstream of Wazirabad barrage is<br />

the untreated or partially treated domestic and industrial<br />

wastewater contributed through several drains along with<br />

water transported by Haryana Irrigation Department from<br />

Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) via Nazafgarh Drain. After<br />

22 Km downstream of Wazirabad barrage, is the Okhla<br />

barrage through which Yamuna water is diverted into Agra<br />

Canal for irrigation. No water flows through the barrage<br />

during dry season. Whatever water flows in the river<br />

beyond Okhla barrage is contributed through domestic and<br />

industrial wastewater generated from East Delhi, Noida<br />

and Sahibabad and joins the river through Shahdara drain.<br />

The Yamuna after receiving water through other important<br />

tributaries joins River Ganga and the mythical / underground<br />

Saraswati at Prayag (Allahabad) after traversing about 1370<br />

Km. Thus, Yamuna river cannot be designated as continuous<br />

river particularly in dry season (almost 9 months).<br />

The catchment of Yamuna river system covers parts of Uttar<br />

Pradesh, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan,<br />

Madhya Pradesh & Delhi states.<br />

Name of<br />

State<br />

The catchment of River Yamuna<br />

Total Catchment<br />

Area in Yamuna<br />

(in Sq. Km.)<br />

%age<br />

contribution<br />

Uttar Pradesh 74208 21.5<br />

(including Uttranchal)<br />

Himachal Pradesh 5799 1.6<br />

Haryana 21265 6.5<br />

Rajasthan 102883 29.8<br />

Madhya Pradesh 14028 40.6<br />

Delhi 1485 0.4<br />

Distinct Segments of River Yamuna<br />

Himalayan Segment From origin to Tajewala Barrage (172 kms)<br />

Upper Segment Tajewala Barrage to Wazirabad Barrage (224 kms)<br />

Delhi Segment Wazirabad Barrage to Okhla Barrage (22 kms)<br />

Eutriphicated Segment Okhla Barrage to Chambal Confluence (490 kms)<br />

Diluted Segment Chambal Confluence to Ganga Confluence (468 kms)<br />

7


Background to the <strong>Yatra</strong><br />

It is known that the state of the river Yamuna is at its most<br />

stressed and threatened in its Delhi to Agra stretch of<br />

around 250 km. It is also the stretch where the river is at its<br />

holiest due to its association with the leelas of Lord Krishna<br />

in a region now popularly called the Braj Bhoomi.<br />

So, if one were to understand the river and its people to<br />

seek solutions if any for the long term revival of the river<br />

then a closer look at the river in this stretch would be an<br />

obvious starting point.<br />

Accordingly, the ongoing Yamuna Satyagrah at Delhi<br />

decided to embark upon the river Yamuna discovery yatra<br />

on mobikes along side the river over a period which may<br />

be neither too hurried nor too leisurely with the following<br />

broad objectives:<br />

a) Avalokan (Close view of the river)<br />

b) Sampark (Interaction with local people and<br />

organisations)<br />

c) Samajh (Understanding and documentation of the river<br />

based on ‘a’ and ‘b’ above)<br />

<strong>Yatra</strong> Program<br />

a) The <strong>Yatra</strong> was held from 5 June 2008 (World<br />

Environment Day) till 13 June 2008.<br />

b) The period of the <strong>Yatra</strong> was on purpose chosen to be<br />

early June as the river would then be in its most stressed<br />

state and hence provide a good baseline.<br />

c) The key purpose of the <strong>Yatra</strong> was to travel as close<br />

to the river as possible to seek, learn and establish<br />

a baseline on the river Yamuna in terms of its water<br />

quality, flood plain status, people’s relations with the<br />

river, groups already working for the river Yamuna,<br />

etc.<br />

d) There were 20 full time Volunteers (on bikes) and two<br />

support vehicles<br />

e) Each participant was voluntarily made part of a sub<br />

group tasked with a specific assignment in tune with the<br />

<strong>Yatra</strong>’s purpose<br />

f) A recce visit along the route made in advance by Youth<br />

for Justice, on two different days identified the following<br />

as the places of visit / halt during the <strong>Yatra</strong>:<br />

Date of Halt<br />

Place<br />

5.6.08 Tigaon<br />

6.6.08 Bodoli<br />

7.6.08 Kosi<br />

8.6.08 Vrindavan<br />

9.6.08 Farah<br />

10.6.08 Agra<br />

11.6.08 Agra<br />

12.6.08 Farah<br />

13.6.08 Mathura – Raya – Mant – Surir –<br />

Naujhil – Chata - Delhi<br />

A two member team from the Environics <strong>Trust</strong> joined the<br />

yatra, carrying an in house developed field kit ‘DOST’ and<br />

took 46 samples of river water, drinking water in the flood<br />

plains, waste water from industries and domestic areas and<br />

canal water at different points along the yatra route.<br />

8


The <strong>Yatra</strong> Route<br />

9


List of Participants<br />

S.No. Name Organisation Duration<br />

1. Aditya Jal Biradari 5 June 2008<br />

2. Alok Bahuguna Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan 5-7 June 2008<br />

3. Aman K. Vasisht Individual 5-11 June 2008<br />

4. Amarendra Kumar Pandey Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan 5-13 June 2008<br />

5. Baljit Singh Chauhan (Masterji) Yamuna Satyagrah 5-11 June 2008<br />

6. Bhoop Singh Yamuna Satyagrah 11 June 2008<br />

7. Chaini Yamuna Satyagrah 5-12 June 2008<br />

8. Devyani Tarun Bharat Sangh 5 June 2008<br />

9. Diwan Singh Natural Heritage First 5-7 June 2008<br />

10. Hemraj Singh Youth For Justice 7-8 June 2008<br />

11. Jagwat Swarup Ji Yamuna Satyagrah 5-11 June 2008<br />

12. Kapil Mishra Youth For Justice 5-11 June 2008<br />

13. Kishori Lal Tomar Yamuna Satyagrah 5-12 June 2008<br />

14. Kuldeep Gupta Yamuna Satyagrah 5 June 2008<br />

15. Lalit Sharma Yamuna Satyagrah 5-11 June 2008<br />

16. Madhusudan Kapparath Journalist (MINT) 5-12 June<br />

17. Mahavir Choudhury Yamuna Satyagrah 5-7, 11 June 2008<br />

18. Manoj Misra Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan 5-13 June 2008<br />

19. Murali Murari Yamuna Satyagrah 5-11 June 2008<br />

20. Pritam Singh Yamuna Satyagrah 11 June 2008<br />

21. Puneet Bhatt Youth For Justice 5-11 June 2008<br />

22. Rajendra Singh Tarun Bharat Sangh 11 June 2008<br />

23. Ravleen Kaur Journalist (Down to Earth) 5-12 June 2008<br />

24. Satyarup Chandan Yamuna Satyagrah 5-11 June 2008<br />

25. Shanti Prasad Pokhriyal Environics <strong>Trust</strong> 5-13 June 2008<br />

26. Shashi Bahuguna Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan 5-7 June 2008<br />

27. Shraddha Bakshi Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan 11 June 2008<br />

28. Srinivas Yadav Environics <strong>Trust</strong> 5-13 June 2008<br />

29. Sudha Mohan Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan 5-13 June 2008<br />

30. Vaibhav Raghunandan Photographer (Down to Earth) 5-12 June 2008<br />

31. Vikram Sheel Youth For Justice 5-11 June 2008<br />

10


Day 1 (5 June 2008)<br />

11


DELHI<br />

(Satyagrah Sthal)<br />

A briefing and formal registration (sample enclosed)<br />

of 23 volunteers (which included local farmers, youth,<br />

environmentalists and water activists, members of the<br />

ongoing Yamuna Satyagrah, active journalists, photographers,<br />

scientists and individual enthusiasts) was held since early<br />

morning at the Yamuna Satyagrah Sthal, alongside the NH<br />

24, behind the Akshardham.<br />

Okhla Barrage (Delhi)<br />

Halting first on the Delhi side of the Okhla Barrage for<br />

testing (by the expert team) of the water flowing in the<br />

Agra Canal (originating from the river Yamuna at the<br />

Okhla Barrage) and to await the arrival of Ravleen, whose<br />

bike had already suffered the second puncture of the day<br />

the <strong>Yatra</strong> progressed along the river on the right marginal<br />

embankment (RME) that led us to the village Jaitpur (the last<br />

village of Delhi on the river bank).<br />

Subsequently the Yamuna Satyagrah <strong>Yatra</strong> - 2008 started<br />

with singing of bhajans, ragani (folk song) and the Yamuna<br />

aarti led by the indefatigable Kishori Bhai (a local farmer who<br />

has turned poet, composer and singer during the Yamuna<br />

Satyagrah). In all 28 excited (young and not so young)<br />

persons in 10 two wheelers and 2 support four wheel<br />

vehicles embarked on the <strong>Yatra</strong>.<br />

Water quality testing of Agra Canal (as it leaves the Okhla<br />

Barrage) in progress under the expert guidance of Dr Shanti<br />

Prasad Pokhriyal (Environics <strong>Trust</strong>).<br />

Findings on some key parameters<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Agra Canal (Okhla Barrage) Delhi<br />

29 deg C<br />

pH 8.2<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

Absent<br />

23 mg/lt<br />

892 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

12


The river as it leaves the Okhla Barrage<br />

Jaitpur Village (Delhi)<br />

On the other side of the river (the UP side) construction of<br />

several high rises in the river bed presented a sore sight.<br />

The slow but steady encroachment into the river bed<br />

(beyond the RME) in the name of Jaitpur Ext. could be easily<br />

observed.<br />

13


Lunch in Jaitpur at the Gurmit Punjabi Dhaba was a rather<br />

hurried cum harried affair and provided an indication of the<br />

rough and tough conditions that lay ahead in store for the<br />

Yatris.<br />

Further we crossed the Ali nalla running towards the river<br />

along side the Jaitpur village.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Irrigation Canal emerging out of Agra<br />

Canal post Jaitpur village<br />

27 deg C<br />

pH 8.5<br />

As we reached the Agra Canal once again with the backdrop<br />

of Badarpur Power Plant, the despoliation of water by such<br />

‘developmental activity’ was more than evident.<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

0.242 mg / lt<br />

33 mg/lt<br />

235 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Badshahpur<br />

An irrigation channel as it leaves the Agra Canal<br />

14


A visit to a 20 mld STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) raised<br />

under YAP (Yamuna Action Plan) phase I in the village<br />

Badshahpur to cater to the sewage load of Faridabad town<br />

was a revelation of sorts. Firstly it was found shut. Reasons<br />

being its upgradation that was underway for capacity<br />

enhancement. An insider story revealed that even when<br />

operational it hardly meets the requirement as industrial<br />

waste is often surreptitiously mixed into the sewage lines<br />

and then the role of the STP is left only to sieve the sewage<br />

of the solid particles like the polythene. The fact that there<br />

is hardly any treatment that takes place in the STP was also<br />

realised since it is more sieving and sedimentation that is<br />

actually taking place in an STP than any treatment of sewage<br />

water per se.<br />

Attractive traditional art work on dung cake (upale) heaps could be seen along side the roads.<br />

15


Dadasiya Village<br />

Interaction and ragani session at the Rajpurkala village<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Handpump water at Rajpur Kalan<br />

25 deg C<br />

pH 7.6<br />

River at Dadasiya village – almost a trickle<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

Transparent<br />

Agreeable<br />

Absent (NA)<br />

NA<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

River water at Dadasiya<br />

28 deg C<br />

pH 7.9<br />

Color<br />

Dark<br />

TDS<br />

25 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

It was dark by the time we reached the Shiv Mandir at Tigaon,<br />

where we were scheduled to halt for the night.<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Foul<br />

0.862 mg / lt<br />

53 mg/lt<br />

144 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Rajpur Kalan<br />

From Dadasia we raced to Rajpurkalan village where the<br />

villagers had been awaiting our arrival. A round of ragani<br />

followed by hearty refreshment by our hosts (relatives of<br />

Masterji) rounded the day for us.<br />

16


Day 2 (6 June 2008)<br />

17


TIGAON<br />

The day began early for the Yatris as no one could sleep<br />

overnight. A heavy downpour followed by power breakdown<br />

had ensured that the mosquitoes had a field day (night) and<br />

the Yatris an unsleepable night. But no one was complaining,<br />

yet.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Hand pump Shiv Temple, Tigaon<br />

25 deg C<br />

pH 7.6<br />

Color<br />

Transparent<br />

Odour<br />

Agreeable<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Absent (NA)<br />

28 mg/lt<br />

124 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

MAJHAWALI<br />

The sad state of local water bodies (Johads) as villages ‘develop’<br />

into towns.<br />

Signs of ‘development’ along side the river at the Majhawali<br />

village.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Temperature<br />

Johar (water body) at Tigaon<br />

28 deg C<br />

31 deg C<br />

pH 7.2<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

1.250 mg / lt<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

1164 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

The river has augmented water supplies courtesy the Budhiya<br />

nala that meets the river upstream of Majhawali village.<br />

18


Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Majhawali village hand pump<br />

26 deg C<br />

pH 7.5<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Transparent<br />

Agreeable<br />

Absent (NA)<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

12.8 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Water is sweet and potable.<br />

Budhiya Nala a tributary of river Yamuna under developmental<br />

pressure of private interests (SRS is building a road cum bridge<br />

over it to reach to its planned golf course coming up across the<br />

Nala) in village Amirpur, Greater NOIDA high rises (on UP side)<br />

can be seen in the background.<br />

The sinister footprints of industrialisation were narrated to<br />

us by the village folks of Majhawali whence the effluents from<br />

a textile establishment in the area had so polluted the lands<br />

that their wheat crops had wilted and it was only a massive<br />

demonstration by the affected farmers that somewhat<br />

remedied the situation.<br />

CHAENSA VILLAGE<br />

Yatris conversing with Sri Ram Chandra, father of the lady<br />

Sarpanch of village Majhawali.<br />

Our first halt for the day was Majhawali village, where the<br />

village elderman Sri Ram Chandra, the father of the lady<br />

Sarpanch, warmly welcomed the spirit and the message of<br />

the <strong>Yatra</strong>. We were informed that the village area had been<br />

declared an institutional area by the government and hence a<br />

number of technical institutions had either already come up<br />

or were currently in the process. Soon the rural skyline was<br />

destined to a changeover into an urban / semi urban one.<br />

We were also witness to the manner in which the Bhudiya<br />

nala (feeding the river) was being embanked by a private<br />

company (SRS Constructions) to build a road that would<br />

open an island surrounded by the river and the nala into a<br />

real estate haven. Emerging Greater NOIDA skyline (on UP<br />

side of the river) was easily seen on the other side of the<br />

river from here.<br />

River Yamuna at Chhaensa (River Hindon has augmented water<br />

supply to it after confluence)<br />

19


A refreshing round of bhajans and ragani led by in imitable Kishori<br />

Bhai at the Chaensa village<br />

VILLAGE CHANT<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

River Yamuna, Chaensa<br />

29 deg C<br />

pH 7.8<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Partially agreeable<br />

6.5 mg / lt<br />

48 mg/lt<br />

446 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

20


After a rather intense interaction at the Village Assembly in<br />

village Chant where a local teacher chided the villagers on<br />

“how could they talk of cleaning the river when they keep their<br />

village in such an unhygienic condition”, a round of raganis<br />

exchanged between Kishori, Mahaveer and Diwan Bhai on<br />

one side and a master ragani singer (seen in the picture)<br />

from the village livened the rather tense atmosphere<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

pH 7.5<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Panchayat Ghar water, Chant<br />

28 deg C<br />

Transparent<br />

Agreeable<br />

Absent (NA)<br />

BADOLI<br />

Location<br />

Hand pump, Badoli<br />

Temperature 31 deg C<br />

pH 7.2<br />

Color<br />

Transparent<br />

Odour<br />

Agreeable<br />

DO<br />

0.32 mg / lt<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

102 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

78 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

It was again late night when we reached Badoli our halting<br />

place for the day and were hosted warmly by the village head<br />

in his own residence.<br />

21


Day 3 (7 June 2008)<br />

23


BADOLI<br />

Modernity might be slowly encroaching into traditional life<br />

style but the sense of traditional hospitability was more than<br />

evident when our host (the local Sarpanch) did not sleep<br />

through the night worried about our welfare in the light of<br />

possible rain during the night.<br />

Yet another sudden downpour during the night had rushed<br />

us all indoors. And the day opened up with overcast skies<br />

which soon turned into a downpour. Following a hearty<br />

breakfast, a grateful thanks and a round of raganis (Yamuna<br />

songs) in which a local ragani singer also joined in, we started<br />

onwards in stinging rain.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Bore well, School, Badoli<br />

28 deg C<br />

pH 8.2<br />

Color<br />

Transparent<br />

Odour<br />

Agreeable<br />

DO<br />

0.54 mg / lt<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

34 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

On way to Kusak village<br />

24


KUSAK<br />

Ravleen is all attention to Sri Sukhbir Mistry of village Kusak. The<br />

villagers lamented the fact that while in olden days a 3 day fair<br />

used to be held with great pomp and show along side the river<br />

in their village, now they have lost all that along with the glory of<br />

the river.<br />

HASANPUR<br />

A relict view of what the Yamuna khadar once used to be! at<br />

village Kusak. Beduki nala joining the river Khadar.<br />

Location<br />

Beduki nala meeting the river khadar<br />

near Siddh Baba temple, Kusak<br />

Temperature 27.5 deg C<br />

pH 7.9<br />

Color<br />

Dark<br />

Odour<br />

Foul<br />

We met and interacted with the local money bags and<br />

the politically influential at the local Market Committee at<br />

Hasanpur. All help was promised for any initiative for the<br />

revival of the river. But how about some one from amongst<br />

them taking a lead?<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

4.3 mg / lt<br />

18 mg / lt<br />

264 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Lunch break at Hasanpur<br />

25


We encounter Agra Canal yet again on way to Kosi via<br />

Shahpur.<br />

Villagers all attention at Shahpur village. (A rumour in the village<br />

that a film shooting was on, on the banks of the river had brought<br />

a large number of villagers to the Yamuna ghat to find us asking<br />

them about their river)<br />

KOSI<br />

The <strong>Yatra</strong> halted for the night in the office of the Sharma<br />

Diesels filling station on the Kosi by-pass road arranged<br />

through the kind courtesy of the Sharma family.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Hand pump, Kosi kalan, GT Road<br />

27 deg C<br />

pH 8.5<br />

River Yamuna at Shahpur ghat<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Rusty<br />

Foul<br />

Absent<br />

Location<br />

River water at Yamuna Ghat, Shahpur<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

Temperature<br />

26.5 deg C<br />

TDS<br />

54 mg / lt<br />

pH 8.2<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

2.6 mg / lt<br />

36.5 mg / lt<br />

152 mg / lt<br />

Water is non potable.<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

26


Day 4 (8 June 2008)<br />

27


KOSI<br />

After a solemn farewell to the Bahuguna couple (Alok and<br />

Shashi) - who had graciously joined the <strong>Yatra</strong> along with<br />

their Tata Safari - as well as to Bhai Diwan Singh and Ch.<br />

Mahaveer Singh the <strong>Yatra</strong> proceeded onwards towards<br />

Shergarh, passing through Chhata.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Agra (Kosi) Canal, Kosi<br />

29 deg C<br />

pH 8.8<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Foul (High)<br />

Absent<br />

29.8 mg / lt<br />

669 mg / lt<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

House hold water supply in Kosi<br />

29 deg C<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

CHATA<br />

pH 8.4<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Rusty<br />

Agreeable<br />

Absent<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

89 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Just as we left Kosi, we came across the Kosi nala (an offshoot<br />

of the Agra Canal) which as the events folded later was to<br />

play a major role in the health of the river and providing us<br />

with a key learning from the <strong>Yatra</strong>.<br />

Kosi Nala at Chhata<br />

28


Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Kosi Nala, Chata<br />

29 deg C<br />

pH 7.6<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

Absent<br />

18.2 mg / lt<br />

238 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

SHERGARH<br />

Residents of Shergarh kasba are all attention to an impromptu<br />

outreach by the Yatris in form of songs / ragani.<br />

OVAH VILLAGE<br />

River Yamuna at Shergarh (the water is by now worthy at least<br />

for the mules).<br />

It was at Shergarh, that we first entered the revered Braj<br />

Bhoomi, the land of the leelas of Lord Krishna. The river had<br />

pleasantly started to show gradual signs of recovery. Even<br />

the local agri-ecology was showing signs of vibrancy with<br />

indicator birds like Saras Crane, Ibis and Peafowl putting up<br />

frequent appearances in the agricultural fields along side the<br />

roads.<br />

Roadside meet at village Ovah (Village of Dauji).<br />

Village Ovah in Mathura district is an interesting place.<br />

Reputedly the village of Dauji (Balaram, the elder brother<br />

of Lord Krishna and a farmer to the core), a temple stands<br />

in his memory on the banks of the river in the village. It is<br />

believed that it was Dau ji who forcibly brought the river<br />

away from Barsana (village of Radha ji) to the village and<br />

hence the reason why the river takes almost a U turn (and<br />

briefly flows northwards) near the village.<br />

29


Testing of drinking water (Hand pump) underway at village<br />

Ovah<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Hand pump, Ovah<br />

27.5 deg C<br />

pH 7.8<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Transparent<br />

Agreeable<br />

.12 mg / lt<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

19.5 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

The water is potable. Ammonia was found absent.<br />

River takes a U turn at Ovah village<br />

30


CHIRHARAN GHAT<br />

(CHIRGHAT VILLAGE)<br />

Prasad at the ’Bihari Van’ Gaushala (Ovah)<br />

Temple at the Chir Haran ghat at Chirghat Village.<br />

The Kadamb tree which reputedly was witness to the Leelas of<br />

Lord Krishna on the banks of river Yamuna.<br />

Swami Shyam Sundar Das ji (High Priest) at the Bihari Van<br />

Gaushala.<br />

31


Almost a ‘blue river’ at Chirghat.<br />

Location<br />

River water, Chirghat<br />

Temperature 25.6 deg C<br />

pH 8.1<br />

Color<br />

Dark<br />

Odour<br />

Agreeable<br />

DO<br />

8.5 mg / lt<br />

It is surmised that since the Kosi nala (an offshoot of the Agra<br />

Canal) acted (unwittingly we presume) as an interceptor nala<br />

for all other smaller drains taking waste water away from the<br />

river and there is no major town spewing sewage and other<br />

wastes into the river or a barrage obstructing the natural<br />

flow of water in the river over its stretch from Ballabhgarh<br />

till Vrindavan (almost 100 km) the river has received enough<br />

respite to flow freely and thereby self rejuvenate, which was<br />

more than evident as we encountered the river upstream of<br />

the Chirghat village.<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

20.1 mg / lt<br />

198.2 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

For the first time the river shows good improvement in DO!<br />

(Sign of life in the river).<br />

32


Day 5 (9 June 2008)<br />

33


VRINDAVAN<br />

Jaisingh Akhara (originally the palace of Maharaja Jai Singh, the<br />

founder of Jaipur city) at Vrindavan at Chir ghat in Vrindavan city,<br />

where the Yatris halted for the night and were hosted graciously<br />

by Sri Srivats Goswami ji, the head of the Akhara.<br />

An interaction session following a power point presentation (on<br />

their activities and on a bicycle <strong>Yatra</strong> carried out way back in<br />

1999 by a group from Yamunotri till Vrindavan) by Robyn and<br />

Sri Jagannath Poddar, the Director of the ‘Friends of Vrindavan’<br />

society.<br />

34


A farmer upstream of Vrindavan, tilling a field in Yamuna Khadar,<br />

fully aware that the khadar (flood plain) belongs primarily to the<br />

river and no construction should be permitted in it. He and many<br />

others also clearly recall the flood water limits on the ground in<br />

the khadar, uptill where the waters had spread during the highest<br />

floods in 1978.<br />

NAGLA SURIR<br />

VILLAGE<br />

A ‘rural developmental’ project details painted on the walls<br />

of a house in village Nagla Surir. It is notable that other than<br />

a reference to the repair of a well and installation of hand<br />

pumps, ‘water’ as an integral health issue or an essential<br />

survival issue in a rural setting specially in view both of<br />

falling ground water table and its increasing pollution does<br />

not appear to be a priority issue, yet in rural developmental<br />

planning?<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Hand pump water, Nagla Surir<br />

28 deg C<br />

pH 7.6<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Rusty<br />

Agreeable<br />

Absent<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

33 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Kosi Nala at the Nagla Surir village upstream of Vrindavan.<br />

35


A typical real estate development eating into fertile agricultural<br />

lands on the out skirts of Vrindavan town.<br />

Madhsudan in action - Drain from the city meeting the Kosi Nala<br />

in Vrindavan.<br />

Such evidence of the presence of Yamuna Action Plan (YAP)<br />

were seen at various places in Vrindavan, Mathura and Agra<br />

cities<br />

Kosi Nala winding its way towards the river Yamuna in Vrindavan city<br />

36


A typical drain emerging from the city (Vrindavan) into the<br />

river<br />

Kosi Nala meeting the river short of the ghats at Vrindavan<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

River water in Vrindavan after<br />

the Kosi nala meets it<br />

28 deg C<br />

pH 8.0<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

Absent<br />

38 mg / lt<br />

The ghats in Vrindavan<br />

TDS<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

956 mg / lt<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

River water in Vrindavan before the<br />

Kosi nala meets it<br />

29 deg C<br />

pH 7.5<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Agreeable<br />

4.2 mg / lt<br />

22.6 mg / lt<br />

145 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

37


38<br />

No comments !


Day 6 (10 June 2008)<br />

39


FARAH<br />

Bliss FULL ashram of Baba Man Singh ji at Farah.<br />

Baba Mansingh ji, our gracious host has his idyllic Ashram<br />

surrounded by agricultural fields about 100 m off the National<br />

Highway next to a medium sized town called Farah.<br />

It is reputed that the Baba had observed maun vrat and<br />

practiced Sadhana for 11 long years before attaining the bliss<br />

full state of ‘enlightenment’. The Yatris felt greatly refreshed<br />

and rejuvenated after spending the night at the Ashram.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Hand pump water, Farah Ashram<br />

25 deg C<br />

Baba Man Singh ji<br />

pH 7.8<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Transparent<br />

Agreeable<br />

Absent<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

67.5 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Break fast at the road side dhaba.<br />

Gas being flared at the Mathura Refinery<br />

40


Location Effluent from Mathura refinery, Gate no.9<br />

Temperature 29 deg C<br />

pH 7.6<br />

Color Transparent<br />

A river which had almost become ‘blue’ at the Chir Ghat<br />

village and remained so until the Kosi Nala met it in<br />

Vrindavan, was back to its original polluted-self, courtesy<br />

the drains (nalas) outpouring all the city’s filth in it both in<br />

Vrindavan and in Mathura.<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Foul<br />

Absent<br />

45.2 mg / lt<br />

56.4 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

MATHURA<br />

‘Devotion’ knows no ‘pollution’?<br />

A devotee from Saurastra (Gujarat) collecting the ‘holy’ Yamuna<br />

water to be carried home notwithstanding the quality of the water<br />

in the river.<br />

Location<br />

River water at Vishram Ghat, Mathura<br />

An active civil society organisation led by Sri Gopeshwar Chaturvedi<br />

ji working for keeping the ghats neat and clean in Mathura.<br />

Temperature<br />

29 deg C<br />

pH 8.3<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

1.3 mg / lt<br />

16.5 mg / lt<br />

TDS<br />

183 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Clearly this ‘lip service’ by the state agencies to the holy river<br />

although welcome is neither enough nor effective!<br />

41


RUNKUTA (AGRA)<br />

Yatris as they enter the Agra City thereby fulfilling the Qutub se<br />

Taj <strong>Yatra</strong> stretch.<br />

The Yatris being formally received at Runkuta by a group of<br />

Yamuna campaigners of Agra led by Sri Raman ji and Sri Ashwini<br />

Kumar Mishra.<br />

A section of the Yatris in front of Guru Ka Taal Gurudwara (in<br />

Agra), where they had been felicitated by the high priest of the<br />

Gurudwara.<br />

Yatris and the hosts from Agra join in singing a bhajan in praise<br />

of the river Yamuna.<br />

42


Day 7 (11 June 2008)<br />

43


AGRA<br />

An internationally known ‘celebrity’ (in the back drop) and a<br />

national ‘shame’ (in the fore front)!<br />

The day in Agra began very early with an interaction session with<br />

the local Yoga abhyasis at the Paliwal Park.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

River water at Hathi Ghat, Agra<br />

24 deg C<br />

pH 8.9<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

0.3 mg / lt<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

15.6 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Polluted river and religious ‘left overs’ at the Hathi ghat in Agra.<br />

Proposed Yamuna Satyagrah sthal at Agra!<br />

44


Mantola nala (Drain) (bifurcating the Taj Mahal and the Red<br />

Fort) spewing poison and waste into the river.<br />

45


Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Mantola Nala water, Agra<br />

27.5 deg C<br />

pH 8.8<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

Absent<br />

96.25 mg / lt<br />

455 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

A public meeting addressed by Sri Rajendra Singh and others at<br />

Loha Mandi in Agra.<br />

46


‘Tell tale signs’ (an eroded interior wall of a well) indicating where<br />

the river level once used to be !<br />

Sri Sanjay Parikh (eminent advocate at the Supreme Court), Sri<br />

Rajendra Singh (Water Man) and Sri Raman ji inspecting the<br />

Buri-ka-nagla STP in Agra.<br />

47


48<br />

Yamuna Aarti!


Day 8 (12 June 2008)<br />

49


Location<br />

Temperature<br />

River water (Brahmand Ghat)<br />

29 deg C<br />

pH 7.4<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

1.48 mg / lt<br />

Nitrogen -<br />

TDS<br />

44 mg / lt<br />

Brahmand Ghat at Gokul (on the left bank of the river).<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

Gokul Barrage over the river downstream of Mathura city.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

River water upstream of Barrage<br />

29.5 deg C<br />

pH 7.9<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

DO<br />

Dark<br />

Foul<br />

1.2 mg / lt<br />

River at Brahmand ghat. Heavy monsoon showers and release of<br />

additional waters from Ganga Canal into the river (in the light of<br />

forthcoming Ganga Dussehra festival) had improved the condition<br />

of the river.<br />

Nitrogen<br />

23 mg / lt<br />

TDS<br />

29.5 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

50


VILLAGE BALLE RAI<br />

Water being released from the Gokul Barrage. (Gokul city is in<br />

the back ground).<br />

Effluent from the Mathura refinery falling into the river.<br />

The utility of Gokul Barrage is disputed by many people!<br />

51


Day 9 (13 June 2008)<br />

53


MATHURA<br />

Muck in one of the pumping stations on the banks of the river.<br />

Masani Nala (Drain) bringing sewage and waste to the river at<br />

Mathura.<br />

Location<br />

Temperature<br />

Masani nala 500 m short of<br />

meeting the river, Mathura<br />

29.1 deg C<br />

pH 8.1<br />

Color<br />

Odour<br />

Transparent<br />

Foul<br />

DO -<br />

Nitrogen<br />

TDS<br />

19 mg / lt<br />

264 mg / lt<br />

Source: Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, New Delhi<br />

54


No comments!<br />

The river at Mathura.<br />

Pilgrims on the Ganga Dussehra Day crossing the Masani nala (as<br />

it meets the river) to go over to the river for a holy bath!<br />

A ‘minor’ accident which could have been major! As we were<br />

finishing the <strong>Yatra</strong> the early outbreak of monsoon caught up with<br />

us.<br />

Dr. S P Pokhriyal busy analysing the water quality on the banks of<br />

the river at Mathura.<br />

Ganga waters enriching the river Yamuna via the distributory of<br />

Upper Ganga Canal between Mant and Surir villages. Heavy rains<br />

upstream have muddied the river water and changed its basic<br />

characteristics.<br />

55


FINDINGS<br />

LEARNINGS<br />

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS<br />

• Encroachments into the flood plains abound either in<br />

form of agricultural farms (villages) or constructions<br />

(towns)<br />

• Canals and drains stink and carry polluted water<br />

• Kids swim and play in polluted waters<br />

• Cities remain the major polluter and encroacher of the<br />

river<br />

• Villages are by and large without any concern for hygiene<br />

or proper drainage or security of their johads (local water<br />

bodies)<br />

• STP’s appear of hardly any help to the river<br />

• Religious heads and Panchayats are the most influential<br />

local institutions<br />

• Yamuna Action Plan activities are conspicuous although<br />

do not appear to be much effective<br />

• Residential, Institutional and industrial areas continue to<br />

be developed by the state in or close to the river bed<br />

• Every major human settlement (Delhi, Faridabad,<br />

Vrindavan, Mathura and Agra) lies on the right bank<br />

PEOPLE’S FRONT<br />

• People whether in villages, towns or cities are fully aware<br />

of the unfortunate state of river Yamuna and more than<br />

keen to lend a helping hand, but are unable to put their<br />

fingers on how of it …<br />

• Religious sentiments associated with the river are pretty<br />

strong in the Braj region, which encompasses more than<br />

60% of the area in question<br />

• People tend to blame Delhi for most of the ills facing the<br />

river<br />

• People have little faith in the ability or the intent of the<br />

government to change the situation for the better<br />

• Farmers knowingly feel trapped and compelled to<br />

irrigate their lands with polluted / toxic water currently<br />

flowing in canals / drains / river<br />

• People are aware of the falling ground water levels as<br />

well as the fact that it is only the deep bore which now<br />

carries sweet potable water, but not for long<br />

• People have a deep sense of failure and disappointment<br />

with the actions taken till date for the river by the state<br />

under the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP)<br />

• People have a distinct recall of the great deluge of 1978<br />

which spread over vast areas on either bank of the<br />

river<br />

• People’s vision of a clean river is one in which a coin can<br />

be easily seen and recovered from the bottom<br />

• People have a clear idea of the extent of khadar (flood<br />

plain) and bangar (beyond the flood plain) of the river,<br />

but have either encroached upon or been allotted land<br />

to farm with in the khadar by the state<br />

• People have little idea of the quality of water that they<br />

consume for domestic purposes<br />

• Folk songs (ragini) for the river and otherwise remain a<br />

popular medium of recreation in the villages<br />

• People have little sense of connect between the health<br />

of their johads and the river<br />

• People are aware and quite unhappy with but feel<br />

helpless about the state’s designs to convert their lands<br />

into industrial or institutional uses<br />

• People maintain a deep religious association with the<br />

river<br />

NGO’S FRONT<br />

• There are notable NGOs present and active in Vrindavan,<br />

Mathura and Agra<br />

• Braj Foundation is active over the entire Braj area and<br />

seems a natural ally<br />

• Other NGOs include Friends of Vrindavan, Food for<br />

Life (ISKON), Chaturvedi Samaj (Mathura)<br />

• Large number of religious heads (Mahant, Mathadheesh,<br />

Akhara dheesh (etc.), are present and could prove to be<br />

a potent force for the revival of the river.<br />

• Knowledgeable, influential and interested individuals like<br />

Sri Raman ji (Agra), Ravi ji (Agra), Kishan Chaturvedi<br />

(Mathura), Gopesh Chaturvedi (Mathura), Srivats<br />

Goswami ji (Vrindavan), Mahant Ashwini Kumar ji<br />

(Agra)<br />

RIVER / WATER QUALITY<br />

• River meanders frequently<br />

• Large number of drains carrying sewage and industrial<br />

wastes drain into the river all along<br />

57


• Water quality is dangerous till Faridabad district,<br />

improves till Vrindavan and then deteriorates once again<br />

till Agra<br />

• Drinking water from handpumps is not suitable at most<br />

places<br />

• Water augmentation into the river in the stretch is from<br />

river Hindon (polluted form) and a distributory of the<br />

Upper Ganga Canal (both draining from the east)<br />

LESSONS<br />

• A river is much more than flowing water. It consists of<br />

its channel, flood plain and the riparian zone.<br />

• There is no other natural ecosystem on earth like a<br />

river. For it alone ‘flows’ and in its wake creates suitable<br />

conditions (niche) for various life forms (both flora and<br />

fauna) to thrive. (There are examples galore of different<br />

life forms that have originated in rivers and would not<br />

thrive in enclosed water bodies like ponds, lakes and<br />

reservoir.)<br />

• Inhibiting a river from flowing is akin to killing it. (This is<br />

what dams, embankments, barrages and pseudo bridges<br />

do).<br />

• If only the rivers were allowed to flow freely with their<br />

full complement of water all its ills can be taken care of<br />

naturally by its own rejuvenation powers. It has done so<br />

over the millennia. We were witness to this wonderful<br />

phenomenon at Chirghat where the river regained<br />

bathing quality short of Vrindavan after the river had<br />

flowed unmolested for almost 100 km.<br />

• If only all sewage (and only sewage) from towns and<br />

cities and even villages was trapped (sieved of plastic<br />

and other solid waste) and then fed entirely into the<br />

agricultural fields<br />

• If only industrial effluents were recycled and not allowed<br />

to fall into the river unless fully treated<br />

• If only domestic needs of water were met from direct<br />

lifting from the flowing and hence little polluted river<br />

and the lakes, ponds and the ground water<br />

• If only the religious heads could be persuaded to give<br />

a clarion call to their followers for the river (the exact<br />

nature and the wordings of the call would need careful<br />

drafting)<br />

• It doesn’t really involve much expense to organise such<br />

a <strong>Yatra</strong> if one stays and eats with local people.<br />

58


Appendics<br />

59


Appendix - I<br />

Yamuna Water Quality<br />

Environics <strong>Trust</strong>, Delhi<br />

The Yamuna Satyagrah organised a Satyagrah <strong>Yatra</strong> from<br />

New Delhi to Agra and back from 5th June 2008 to 13th<br />

June 2008 . The objective of the <strong>Yatra</strong> was to understand the<br />

attachment, dependency, faith and the culture of the Yamuna<br />

flood plains (people and the river). During initial discussions<br />

water quality was considered as a primary component<br />

for understanding anthropogenic pollution. Hence, in the<br />

process Environics <strong>Trust</strong> joined the <strong>Yatra</strong> as a technical team<br />

having responsibility to assess following things:<br />

• State of water of the river (water quality and quantity)<br />

• State of flood plains<br />

• Drains if any that pollutes the river<br />

• Quality of drinking water<br />

• Any other notable feature<br />

A two member team joined the yatra, carrying an in house<br />

developed field kit ‘DOST’ and took 46 samples of river<br />

water, drinking water in the flood plains, waste water from<br />

industries and domestic areas with canal water at different<br />

points along the yatra route of approximately 280 kms.<br />

Sampling Methodology<br />

The team has collected 46 samples in all. In which 26 samples<br />

are for river Yamuna, 10 for drinking water and other 10<br />

for industrial drains and sewage. Some of the parameters<br />

perform at the spot for different sites are as follows;<br />

River water<br />

Drinking water<br />

Sewage and<br />

industrial effluent<br />

Temperature, pH, Colour, Odour,<br />

Alkalinity, DO, Ammonia, TDS<br />

Temperature, pH, Taste, Alkalinity,<br />

Chlorides, Residual chlorine,<br />

Hardness, TDS and Ammonia<br />

Temperature, pH, Colour,<br />

Odour, Dissolved Oxygen (DO),<br />

Ammonia, Nitrates, Alkalinity and<br />

Total Dissolved Solid (TDS)<br />

All the above-mentioned parameters have been analysed<br />

on the spot by using colorimetric and physical methods. In<br />

different critical points team also measured the discharge of<br />

the drain to estimate water or sewage flow.<br />

Standard<br />

DO – is the amount of oxygen in mg / lit of river water<br />

to sustain the aquatic life in water body. (Bathing quality<br />

standard is 5 mg / lit)<br />

Observations<br />

• It is observed that the Yamuna River flowing downstream<br />

of Okhla barrage is mainly polluted by domestic<br />

wastewater discharged from Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad,<br />

Vrindavan, Mathura and Agra. Effect of the discharges<br />

from Masani Nala, Mathura Refinery, Koshi Nala. The<br />

results of analysis of Yamuna River and outfalls’ samples,<br />

in sequence of their relative position downstream Okhla<br />

barrage.<br />

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO), which is essential for existence<br />

of aquatic life in any water body, is found almost absent<br />

in Yamuna River upto Hasanpur, Delhi and remains<br />

negligible (near 1 mg/L) upto a further d/s distance of<br />

54 km because of heavy organic pollution. It is only after<br />

100 km downstream from Delhi that the DO starts to<br />

show improvement but still remains unsatisfactory till<br />

Vrindavan and it is also just because of the natural ability<br />

of the rivers’ natural regeneration capacity.<br />

• Total Nitrogen level in Yamuna even at d/s Okhla<br />

barrage, the first point of study, was observed 36 mg/L,<br />

which is very high. Total Nitrogen further increases to a<br />

level of 53 mg/L after confluence of industrial drains, and<br />

reduces rather rapidly to 33 mg/L, in spite of addition of<br />

Greater Noida drain (at 20 km), a significant point load<br />

in terms of Nitrogen.<br />

• Investigation into above unexplained phenomenon is<br />

attempted by studying different forms of Nitrogen and<br />

their interrelationship in aquatic environment. Domestic<br />

sewage is the most significant source of Nitrogen<br />

61


pollution of rivers. Fresh sewage contains Nitrogen<br />

in the form of pertinacious matter and urea, which is<br />

readily decomposed by saprophytic bacteria (aerobic<br />

and anaerobic) to ammonia.<br />

• This becomes more complex by the fact that nitrogenfixing<br />

bacteria and certain algae are capable of converting<br />

even atmospheric nitrogen into proteins (Organic-N),<br />

which can subsequently convert into Ammonia-N by<br />

death and decomposition of bacteria and algae. It is<br />

possible that certain amount of Ammonia-N might be<br />

adding to river through ground water inflow from areas<br />

of high nitrogenous fertilizer use near bank of the river<br />

because farmers often apply nitrogenous fertilizers in<br />

water flooded conditions leading to its seepage into<br />

ground water before conversion into nitrates which<br />

require aerobic conditions in fields. There is also a<br />

possibility of Nitrate-N coming into aquatic system either<br />

by ground water inflows or by fixation of atmospheric<br />

nitrogen.<br />

• Exceptionally high TDS and Chloride levels are observed<br />

in Yamuna as compared to other snow-fed rivers. TDS<br />

and Chloride level are 448 mg/L and 91 mg/L, respectively,<br />

at d/s Okhla barrage (0 km). TDS and Chloride increase<br />

to 822 mg/L and 246 mg/L, respectively, after confluence<br />

of Badarpur power plant drain and further increases to<br />

1164 mg/L and 259 mg/L, respectively, at confluence of<br />

Kosi drain. Gradual decrease in TDS and Chlorides is<br />

observed upto Agra where TDS and Chlorides remain<br />

at 730 mg/L and 216 mg/L, respectively.<br />

River / Water Quality<br />

• River meanders frequently<br />

• Large number of drains carrying sewage and industrial<br />

wastes drain into the river all along<br />

• Water quality is dangerous till Faridabad district,<br />

improves till Vrindavan and then deteriorates once again<br />

till Agra<br />

• Drinking water from hand pumps is not suitable at most<br />

places<br />

• Water augmentation into the river in the stretch is from<br />

river Hindon (polluted form) and a distributory of the<br />

Upper Ganga Canal (both draining from the east)<br />

Water quality testing of Agra Canal (as it leaves the Okhla<br />

Barrage) in progress under the expert guidance of Dr Shanti<br />

Prasad Pokhriyal (Environics <strong>Trust</strong>).<br />

62


Appendix - II<br />

YAMUNA SATYAGRAH<br />

Qutub Se Taj Tak – Ek hi Awaaz – <strong>Jiye</strong> <strong>Jamuna</strong> <strong>Jiye</strong> Jana Jana<br />

Motorcycle Yamuna <strong>Yatra</strong> from Delhi – Agra – Delhi<br />

(5 – 13 June 2008)<br />

Volunteers Registration Form<br />

Name<br />

Father’s Name<br />

Residential Address (with Tel / Mobile No.)<br />

Office Address (with Telephone No.)<br />

Self Mobile No.<br />

Licence<br />

Vehicle Papers<br />

Helmet<br />

Blood Group<br />

Motorcycle No. (If volunteering with Motorcycle)<br />

Professional Background<br />

Special Interest<br />

Declaration<br />

This is to certify that my participation is purely as a volunteer and I am fully responsible for my safety and conduct<br />

during the Yamuna <strong>Yatra</strong>.<br />

(Signature)<br />

Place:<br />

Date:<br />

63


For additional copies and further information, please contact:<br />

Yamuna <strong>Jiye</strong> Abhiyaan<br />

178-F, Pocket-4, Mayur Vihar Phase-I<br />

Delhi 110 091<br />

Telefax: 91-11-22719005<br />

yamunajiye@gmail.com<br />

www.cmsindia.org/cmsenvironment<br />

www.peaceinst.org

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