One of our simplest yet most effective tools of creating awareness is through our “Yamuna Walks”, which take the people to the river to see, realize and gauge for themselves, the severity of the pollution problem that plagues the river. The walk route, follows the course of the river from Sonia Vihar (where most of the river coming from Haryana is stopped by the Wazirabad Barrage for Delhi’s pipelines and hence is relatively cleaner and plentiful) to the Najafgarh drain (one of the 19 major drains falling into the river) and then finally to Kudsia Ghat (one of the many ghats alongside the once beautiful river); allowing us to get a comprehensive and real picture of the national capital’s fast dying lifeline.

On August 4th We for Yamuna organized one such walk. For once we were blessed with cloudy skies and cool breeze. The walk was well attended and a number of observations were made.

Having taken a slight detour from our usual routine we started from Kudsia Ghat, the one ghat that we have been visiting periodically to carry out our Shramdaans. Usually by this time of the year the colour of the water following the rains becomes slightly clearer. However this time due to the absence of proper rainfall the colour of the river was as black as ever. In fact if possible the situation was worse than ever. Not only did the overwhelming stench make it virtually impossible to stand near the river, but the large amount of garbage- primarily polythenes along with a lot of religious items like flowers and chunnis, as well as household garbage in plastic bags among other things made it difficult to walk on the bank. The water at this point was clearly covered by a slick film of oil and effluents and further choked by not only garbage and religious items thrown in polythene bags by callous citizens (cutting across all strata and all age groups) from over the Shahadra flyover who consider the Yamuna their personal disposal bin but also from the unhindered growth of Hyacinths which tend to deprive the river of the much needed oxygen. The river was almost stagnant. The bank, which during the recent Government conducted 3- day Shramdaan to celebrate the World Environment Day had been cleared of all garbage and the river of all weeds and hyacinths and had been very much in focus due to the visit of the Chief Minister of Delhi Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, has evidently been neglected since then. Yet there was one heartening fact that the plants that ‘We for Yamuna’ had planted on the occasion, have been thriving despite the lack of rains, indicating the nurturing hand of those living along the Kudsia ghat.

We then went on to Sonia Vihar, beyond the Wazirabad Barrage. This gave us the opportunity to look at the river. This was the only point where the Yamuna waters looked like a river. Continued good weather along with the clear waters, which accorded us peeks at playful fishes, was by far the best part of the walk. Relatively cleaner though by no means completely non- polluted, this is the point where the river flowing from Haryana is stopped for treatment and then transported through pipes for drinking purposes to most of Delhi. The water here is contaminated mainly with pesticides.

Moving downstream, we realized that the amount of water flow after the barrage was almost nil. For all practical purposes it seemed that the river had stopped. Quite possibly the poor monsoons have led to a distinct lowering in the water level. This is quite a major problem as there is very little water to dilute the large amounts of pollutants that Delhi pumps into the river, leading to a high concentration of pollutants.

Just a few 100 odd meters downstream from the barrage there is a sangam of sorts as the river is joined by perhaps largest of the 19 drains that flow into the river carrying largely, pitch black, untreated polluted water. This particular drain emerges from Najafgarh and carries heavy metals and chemicals. The black thick water was covered completely by a film of oil/chemicals and was frothing. The water it seemed was gasping from breath as bubbles kept coming up under the film. One fundamental change that we noticed however was that there were no polythenes in the drain unlike before when tons could be seen floating along into the river. But the stench was unbearable and the lack of effective treatment plants evident.

On the way back an impromptu brainstorming session resulted in a number of suggestions, which we need to follow up on. A need for short information spots for TV was also greatly felt in order to spread awareness on the issue.

The walk has clearly shown that despite all the meetings, conferences and cleaning drives no long term sustained programme has been put into action. The river continues to be treated like Delhi’s personal dump and no longer resembles a river. It is simply a drain. Though revered as a goddess, Yamuna is still to receive any of the respect that goes along with this reverence. In a day and age where water crisis is rampant, it is time that we realize that our precious resources are scarce and cannot be taken for granted any longer.

All of us have to work together in order to bring about a change in attitude of the people. Come join us and help us to reach out to the masses and communicate to them the urgency of the situation and the need for this change.

Yamuna walk pictures >>>

Please contact the ‘We For Yamuna’ team or Mr. Rajeev Singh at 4628877, ext-256/404/347 or 4629252 mail us at weforyamuna@yahoo.com
You could come visit us at : UNDP/UNV 55, Lodi Estate. New Delhi-110003.