The measures adopted by the Modi government of cleaning river Ganga are finally yielding the envisaged results. As per reports, experts believe that the marine life in the Ganga river is set to flourish once again as the river witnesses considerable improvement in its water quality.
Experts carrying out research around the banks of river Ganga believe that there’s a marked improvement in the level of dissolved oxygen in the river in more than a decade. The experts have also asserted that along with dissolved oxygen, even pH amount has reached satisfactory levels.
The laboratory tests of the water samples have uncovered a pH level of more than 8.5, the biological oxygen demand level was 2.5 milligram per litre of water. Prof Pravin Bhai Patel of CSJM University Kanpur and principal investigator in the project claimed the results to be extremely favourable for the aquatic life to proliferate.
The research is being carried out by a group of experts belonging to esteemed institutes and scientific bodies, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). They had collected river water samples at 20 points in six highly polluted river banks – Ganga Barrage, Bhaironghat, Parmat, Shuklaganj, Jajmau and Wajidpur for laboratory testing.
According to the Professor, the average pH level in the last 10 years has consistently been below 6 while the biological oxygen demand ranged between 3.5 to 4. He said that such alarming levels of pH are hazardous for aquatic life to flourish.
Experts have proclaimed the tapping of large sewers as the reason for the remarkable improvement in the water quality of Ganga. In November, engineers in Kanpur got rid of waste from Asia’s largest sewer being emptied in Ganga. The waste was diverted to Jajamau treatment plant where the waste was sanitised and harmful effluents removed from it.
Kuldeep Misra of UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) also concurred with the findings of the experts. He said, “At present the water quality of the river has improved due to two reasons. First, the sewers have been tapped and there is complete control over tannery waste water going into the river. This has checked the oxygen depletion both upstream and downstream”.
The treatment of waste going into the river has delivered enormous results. The water of the river has become favourable for aquatic life. The ideal water condition for marine life requires pH level at 6.5 to 8.5 milligram per litre of water and the biological oxygen demand level less than three milligram per litre.
Note: This article has been updated to reflect correct parameters