Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Watering down: On water quality at Prayagraj

​Watering down: On water quality at Prayagraj

Pollution in Ganga needs long-term solutions, not denialism (अस्वीकारवाद)

Official estimates suggest that around 45 crore visitors, nearly a third of India’s population, have already been to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, which began in mid-January. With such a massive influx (आगमन, प्रवाह), even a small percentage of individuals who carry microbes could trigger (प्रेरित करना, उकसाना) extensive (व्यापक, विस्तृत) chains of disease transmission. The Ganga at Prayagraj, where devotees not only have ritual baths but also drink the water, inevitably becomes a complex receptacle of microbiomes. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which is responsible for monitoring and controlling air, water and land pollution, has been assessing water quality at Prayagraj since the festival began. Its reports, which are publicly accessible, present a mixed picture. On January 14, which was Makar Sankranti, one of the most auspicious bathing days, faecal (Related to feces or excrement) coliform levels, a key indicator of contamination from human and animal waste, were at a high — nearly 11,000 units at the Sangam Ghat, which is more than four times the permissible limit of 2,500 units. At the Old Naini Bridge Ghat, along the Yamuna, the count was even higher, at 33,000 units. However, on other days, these numbers dropped to as low as 200 and 780 units. Similar fluctuations were observed for other parameters of water quality such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO). A CPCB report submitted to the National Green Tribunal on February 3 stated that the water quality on January 12-13, 2025 was not fit for bathing, let alone drinking, despite bathing having a higher tolerance limit. However, the report also noted a reduction in organic pollution due to freshwater intrusion (अतिक्रमण, दखल) upstream. It further observed that the sheer number of people bathing in the river during the Maha Kumbh Mela, particularly on auspicious (शुभ, मंगलकारी, अनुकूल) days, led to an inevitable (अनिवार्य, अपरिहार्य) spike in faecal contamination (प्रदूषण, अशुद्धि).

These fluctuations (उतार-चढ़ाव) are not exclusive to the Kumbh Mela. Routine monitoring of water quality by the CPCB has consistently recorded similar patterns, reinforcing (सुदृढ़ करना, मजबूत करना) the fact that, regardless of what the festival may be, water in the Ganga at Prayagraj is not fit for consumption, whether as a few drops or bucketful. The river’s suitability for bathing fluctuates based on water flow and dilution. Considering these adverse findings, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s dismissal of this scientific data as “baseless” is misleading. The National Mission for Clean Ganga is based on a sustained effort to restore the river’s health, and Uttar Pradesh, its largest beneficiary, must prioritise continuous cleanup efforts instead of undermining legitimate (वैध, कानूनी) pollution concerns. The Kumbh Mela highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions, not denialism. Science can come to the aid of the faithful; it is in no one’s interest to undermine scientific findings in the name of encouraging a spiritual journey.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Denialism (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अस्वीकारवाद
English Meaning - The refusal to accept an established fact or reality.

2.Influx (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - आगमन, प्रवाह
English Meaning - A large arrival of people or things into a place.

3.Extensive (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - व्यापक, विस्तृत
English Meaning - Covering a large area or scope.

4.Trigger (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - प्रेरित करना, उकसाना
English Meaning - To cause something to happen suddenly.

5.Inevitable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अनिवार्य, अपरिहार्य
English Meaning - Certain to happen and unavoidable.

6.Contamination (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रदूषण, अशुद्धि
English Meaning - The process of making something impure or harmful.

7.Fluctuation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - उतार-चढ़ाव
English Meaning - Continuous changes in level, strength, or value.

8.Intrusion (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अतिक्रमण, दखल
English Meaning - Unwanted or uninvited entry into a place or situation.

9.Auspicious (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - शुभ, मंगलकारी, अनुकूल
English Meaning - Indicating a good outcome or favorable circumstances.

10.Reinforce (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - सुदृढ़ करना, मजबूत करना
English Meaning - To strengthen or support something.

11.Legitimate (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - वैध, कानूनी
English Meaning - Conforming to the law or rules.

12.Faecal (Adjective)

English Meaning - Related to feces or excrement.