In its latest move, the Delhi government has declared to ensure a clean Yamuna by 30 June.
"It's been about 40 years, when I used to roam around the sandy river banks of Yamuna with great joy. I could lie down playfully and quench my thirst in no time," reminisces Ashok Upadhyay, who moved to Delhi decades ago from the town of Ayodhya in the Uttar Pradesh state.
"Today, the same riversides are full of sewage sludge," he says. "Dilli (Delhi) miserably failed to value its own sacred river in the desired way," Ashok laments.
Every morning, Ashok is occupied with collecting plastic and religious waste at Yamuna's ITO bridge after worshippers leave this most frequented river bank. Instead of complaining about those insensitive people's leftovers, he ensures that the litter is cleaned up. A few hours later, he takes to watering the trees that he once planted as saplings.
By evening, it's time to bask in the quietness there and be at peace with Mother Yamuna for having done his bit.
The 67-year-old removes around 2-3 tons of garbage every week, assisted by one or two private helpers. His relentless dedication has earned him the nickname 'Yamuna Baba'.
Asked if he ever felt like giving up after two decades, he said: "Sometimes, it takes a little longer to make a silent change."
Padma Rani of Malka Ganj colony also recalls how she used to accompany her late husband and kids to the Kashmere Gate-located Yamuna ghat (bank) during the festivals of Ekadashi or Vaisakhi in the 1970s. Taking a dip in the cold and dark water felt like being cuddled by 'Yamuna 'Mayi' (mother).
The 84-year-old says, today, it sounds like a fairy tale to her grandkids. "They feel I am making up things that the water never smelt foul, and we worshiped it with marigold flowers, earthen lamps, incense sticks, and milk after the holy dip."
Yamuna: A Venerated River of Faith
Legend has it that 'Yami', daughter of Lord Sun, descended upon Earth from heaven in ancient times and continues existing here as 'Yamuna'. She was also the sister of Yamraj, the God of death. Hence, anyone taking a bath in its waters with faith gets relief from health problems as a blessing, narrated Rajnikant Chaturvedi, the priest at Ram Ghat.
According to Sanjay Giri, the priest of Wazirabad Purana Pul Ghat, it's not just Hindus but Muslims, Sikhs and Christians also visit Yamuna: "Their belief about the 'Jal' (the water) may differ but they visit the Yamuna River for a holy dip to show reverence in their own ways."
"There was a time when we could directly take the 'Jal' (sacred water) to quench our thirst. But regrettably, it's unthinkable now."
Seagulls flying above a river bank near ITO bridge river bank
© Sputnik / Sandeep Datta
He says all religions hold natural water in high esteem. "And with collective public awareness, a lot is possible to save the 'Yamuna Mayi' (the mother)."
What Pollutes Yamuna in Delhi?
Originating in the Yamunotri area (in the state of Uttarakhand), the Yamuna enters Delhi from the state of Haryana. And, then from the Wazirabad barrage onward to the city, the wastewater discharge through the city's drains (lying between the Wazirabad and Okhla barrages) leaves the river immensely polluted.
Though Delhi's 22-km stretch is not even 2% of the river's total length, it reportedly accounts for almost 80% of the overall pollution in it, with untreated wastewater and poor-quality water discharged from wastewater treatment plants being the main factors.
In analysing the severity of polluting factors, Ashok of ITO bridge, highlights the abysmal state of affairs on the Delhi stretch -- Palla Gaon to Kalindi Kunj area.
"Imagine a few thousand people converging each weekend on just the ITO bridge Ghat (bank) to worship. But leaving after immersing 1 kg of religious waste. Now, visualize dozens of chemical factories' toxic waste, slum-dwellers and other illegal colonies' sewage directly falling into a river every day through nearly 30 drainages. Can such a river survive?" he asks.
What Can Save Yamuna: Samaritans' Speak
Some critically transformative measures, Ashok suggests, must include undertaking surprise inspections of water treatment plants, especially at night. "Remember, there is already a massive pile of chemical waste's layers over the riverbed. Our authorities get serious only when polls or key festivals are around."
Sachin Gupta, the head of NGO YSS Foundation, has devoted himself to Kalindi Kunj Ghat, last point of Yamuna in Delhi, along with young volunteers. He contends the government or private sector's CSR initiative to address prominent factors.
Demanding comprehensive action, he told Sputnik: "A sincere endeavor would mean permanently preventing the industrial toxic waste of Okhla's dyeing factories and surgical waste [from being] dumped, and most importantly diverting unauthorized colonies and slums' untreated massive sewage from falling into our Yamuna."
YSS Foundation volunteer collecting garbage at Kalindi Kunj Ghat, Delhi, as river water is covered by toxic foam
© Sputnik / YSS Foundation
Pt. Rajnikant of Ram Ghat, where an agricultural field and sand mafia allegedly covered a canal, favours activating local departments to strongly penalise polluters after putting up large bins.
Giri, of the Wazirabad barrage, wants the government's boost to public-driven individual efforts for Ghats' cleanliness, and putting in place basic facilities like bins, brooms, or placing recycling machines at every river bank.
There's a big scope to engage local youths, who make a meagre living as coin-divers, opines Pravin Ittar, a social activist at Wazirabad Ghat: "They just desire their efforts to be regularly financially rewarded for guiding or discouraging local polluters."
Though Yauma lovers are all-praise for such an ambitious endeavor, their apprehension puts it at peril of turning out to be another improvident exercise.