WWF-India carried out a scientific assessment of E-Flows for a Healthy Ganga during Kumbh 2013 to ensure adequate release of flows in the River Ganga and to build consensus on Environmental Flows among key stakeholders. The E-Flows assessment was based on socio-cultural aspirations, ecological and geo-morphological considerations at Sangam, Allahabad during Kumbh 2013.
The assessment was carried out under WWF-India’s ‘Rivers for Life, Life for Rivers’ programme with key partners such as Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, technical and research institutes such as CIFRI (Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute) and NGOs such as PSI (People Science Institute) and experts among others. A report on benefits of E-Flows with recommendations has been developed and shared with key policy makers including the Government of Uttar Pradesh to ensure maintenance of flows during Kumbh 2013.
Environmental Flows (or simply E-Flows) are defined as the flows required for the maintenance of the ecological integrity of rivers, their associated ecosystems, and the goods and services provided by them and to fulfill the aspirations of the people.
Kumbh 2013 is expected to be the largest congregation of people for a religious purpose, anywhere in the world. Over 80 million people are expected to visit the city of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the River Ganga from January 14 to March 10, 2013. It is believed that a holy dip in the Ganga during this period will help pilgrims attain salvation. The flows in the river Ganga and the quality of its water has always been a talking point, not only amongst visitors and residents, but also within Government circles. There is a demand for ‘adequate flows’ to ensure a free flowing and clean Ganga during Kumbh.
Kumbh was, hence, found to be a unique opportunity for WWF-India to conduct the assessment for E-Flows and provide recommendations to the Government of Uttar Pradesh with the aim of releasing not just ‘adequate’ flows but E-Flows.
More details can be found in the Report on ‘Environmental Flows for Kumbh 2013 at Triveni Sangam, Allahabad’.
The assessment was carried out under WWF-India’s ‘Rivers for Life, Life for Rivers’ programme with key partners such as Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, technical and research institutes such as CIFRI (Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute) and NGOs such as PSI (People Science Institute) and experts among others. A report on benefits of E-Flows with recommendations has been developed and shared with key policy makers including the Government of Uttar Pradesh to ensure maintenance of flows during Kumbh 2013.
Environmental Flows (or simply E-Flows) are defined as the flows required for the maintenance of the ecological integrity of rivers, their associated ecosystems, and the goods and services provided by them and to fulfill the aspirations of the people.
Kumbh 2013 is expected to be the largest congregation of people for a religious purpose, anywhere in the world. Over 80 million people are expected to visit the city of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the River Ganga from January 14 to March 10, 2013. It is believed that a holy dip in the Ganga during this period will help pilgrims attain salvation. The flows in the river Ganga and the quality of its water has always been a talking point, not only amongst visitors and residents, but also within Government circles. There is a demand for ‘adequate flows’ to ensure a free flowing and clean Ganga during Kumbh.
Kumbh was, hence, found to be a unique opportunity for WWF-India to conduct the assessment for E-Flows and provide recommendations to the Government of Uttar Pradesh with the aim of releasing not just ‘adequate’ flows but E-Flows.
More details can be found in the Report on ‘Environmental Flows for Kumbh 2013 at Triveni Sangam, Allahabad’.
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