Freshwater is a scarce resource and one which might become the object of war. We are already seeing the effect of this important resource exploitation. This year Johannesburg went without water for little close to a month. There was not enough water for drinking, and they could not use the water of the four rivers which are nearby. The cause was water pollution. As for data two-thirds of the earth is water, but how much is usable? Well, just 1% of the total water is usable in form of groundwater, lakes and rivers. We need to protect this resource. We in India are having so many rivers which are fighting pollution from industries. The mother Ganga which flows beside Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh is also fighting pollution.
The causes and ways to fight River water pollution
- Treatment of sewage – One of the main causes of pollution in rivers is the sewage and it grows every day with the growing population of the world. Yes, the pollution can be minimized but yet the water is polluted. In the case of the river Ganga which is the lifeline of Northern India, sewage is one of the main pollutants which has decreased the water quality in the past 25 years. I remember that water was drinkable at Haridwar 15 years back, but as per data in 2018 the water is not fit for bathing. Isn’t that unforgivable.
- Industrial Waste – Many industries are there on the banks of rivers all around the world, as most of the human settlement is beside rivers. The reason for human settlement is drinkable water availability from rivers, but the industrial waste which contains harmful chemicals is making the water toxic. The industries should not be allowed at all to dump in rivers and should make arrangements for it.
- Plastics and its dumping – Polyethylene is one of the inventions that is helping us many ways, but the waste disposal has become a worldwide issue. Plastic does not decompose, and its most widely used. Packaging, carrying all kinds of use means this non-destroyable waste is growing by the day. The only way to counter is to go to the old ways and stop using it in form of carry bags and also refrain from using it in packaging.
- Educating people on Pollution – Awareness is the first step towards making people realize that water pollution is more dangerous than wars. It does not kill you instantly but can lead to the reduction in quality of life and diseases.
- Dams and ridges construction – This is another thing that causes sediment pollution in river water. Yes, it is essential for generating electricity but to what end. Water is a necessity for survival and should be kept clean. So, dmas and ridges building should also have arrangements of cleaning the water that flows after collecting.
The water of rivers is the very reason for human survival and no science can compensate for the way we are polluting our rivers. While I was in Rishikesh on the banks of river Ganga, I saw many students cleaning the river during their 200 Hours Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course. This the need of the hour to pay attention to the pollution control and solve the problem as soon as possible for our own good.