“Blocking the free flow of the Gang by constructing dams over it is wrong from all angels including economically, scientifically, spiritually and religiously. It is like treason,? said noted economist Dr Bharat Jhunjhunwala. He was speaking at a seminar organised by Ganga Mahasabha on ?the Impact of dams on the Ganga? in Varanasi on May 5.
He said the argument of the government that dams help in economic development is totally wrong and it has been proved by various studies. ?The dams have rather endangered the existence of the Ganga itself. The Ministers and officers of the government construct the dams for their vested interests, as the dam constructing companies pay them heavy commission. Need of the hour is that the unique quality of Ganga water should be explained to the people in modern languages, as people are forgetting the divine qualities of the Ganga today,? he added.
Noted scientist of Benaras Hindu University, Prof. U.K. Chaudhary said the water level in the areas where the Ganga flows is the highest. ?If the flow of any river is blocked it not only affects the quality of its water but also the water level in its surrounding areas. The same is happening with the Ganga. The dams have reduced the qualities of Ganga water,? he said.
Shri Puran Singh Ktait of Uttarakhand said the dams damaged environment greatly. Not only the forestland is acquired for construction of dams but also the process damage the mountains the most. ?The people should today think whether they need water the most or the electricity. If we do not take any timely step we shall lose the Ganga,? he said.
Smt. Mita Singh, geologist, said the construction of dams makes the land of the surrounding areas weak. Not only some spices of plants have vanished, the glaciers have also reduced. The time is not far when there is no water in dams and no electricity will be generated. It cannot not be justified to build new dams in such situations,? she added.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said running the Ganga for electricity generation would be highly dangerous. Presiding over the function, Shri Dinanath Jhunjhunwala said the dams and pollutions have endangered the purity of the Ganga water. He said we again need a Bhagirath to get rid of the river from this danger.
(By Loknath)
