The river Ganga and Yamuna are India’s lifelines,

Revered as divine and vital for millions.

Yet the paradox is, these sacred rivers rank among the world’s most polluted,

Suffocated by waste.

The Ganga alone carries untreated sewage from over 100 cities along its banks,

Worsened further by industrial effluents, heavy metals, and so on.

High BOD and faecal coliform levels make these rivers unfit for bathing or drinking.

The Ganga Action Plan promised revival.

Namami Gange aimed to clean the Ganga comprehensively.

The situation of Yamuna is no better.

Where do we go wrong – inconsistent policies, weak enforcement, public apathy,…?

Without relentless commitment,

These rivers may meet the fate

We dread to imagine!

Bal Krishna, Editor

bal@mycoordinates.org