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The Gomti, one of the major tributaries of the national river Ganga, is seriously threatened by manmade catastrophes like pollution and encroachment that have put a question mark over the survival of the river.
The Gomti-Ganga Yatra, organised by Lucknow-based organisation Lok Bharati, with the support from many organizations such as Jal Biradari, LOC, My Clean India, The Society for Earth Sciences (SES), Prof. H. S. Srivastava Foundation for Science & Society, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, NBRI, KGMU etc had begun from the origin of the river near Mainkot in Pilibhit on March 27, 2011 and concluded at its confluence with Ganga in Kaithi near Varanasi on April 3, 2011. The study group has collected and analyzed water samples from different segments of the river as well as its tributaries. According to the findings, the river is worst polluted in mid-segment and lower stream, as major urban towns are located on its banks.
A status report on Gomti river prepared by the participants of the 8-day Gomti-Ganga Yarta from March 27 to April 3, 2011 reveals that the river is being polluted mainly by the direct discharge of untreated wastewater and industrial effluents at many places including the state capital Lucknow, Jagdishpur, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur. The study group, which participated in the Gomti Yatra has compiled all its findings and prepared a citizens’ report for Gomti river restoration. This is the next step of the civil society organisations, which had undertaken the yatra. The yatra was meant to spread the message to keep Gomti clean. It started from Gomat Taal, Gomti’s origin in Pilibhit district and passed through 13 districts to come up with ground realities. The people who participated in the yatra formed Gomti Mitra Mandals at several places. Besides, they met at least 15,000 persons living by the side of the river and stopped over more than 35 villages in eight days. During this Yatra, studies on the catchment details, tributaries, and water quality assessment were also done. To unite all water resources’ professionals, environmental engineers/scientists and socially conscious people, who are keen to find workable solutions to the problem of uninterrupted flow, water pollution, and encroachment of the flood plain of Gomti and its tributaries, the study group is now working towards evolving and implementing a model of river restoration on a long-term basis. The idea is to also seek support from the agencies of the state and central governments as well as others. Gomti, a tributary of the Ganga, originates near Mainkot, from `Fulhar Jheel' in Madhotanda about 30 km east of Pilibhit town in UP. It meets the Ganga in Ghazipur. The river is perennial and effluent. The total length of the river is about 940 km and it flows entirely in UP.
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