Alarm over waste dumping in Bhagirathi amid Gangotri rush

Uttarkashi: With the commencement of the Char Dham yatra, Gangotri Dham has seen a surge in pilgrims in the past two days, sparking concerns over pollution linked to religious practices. Devotees are discarding clothes and ritual material into the Bhagirathi river, which later becomes the Ganga downstream, threatening its sanctity and also aquatic life.Gangotri Dham, revered as the origin of the Ganga, holds immense religious significance. Cleanliness at the site is critical for the health of the larger river system.Lokendra Singh Bisht, state convener of the Ganga Vichar Manch, said, “Large quantities of discarded garments and waste are retrieved from the river each year, underscoring the scale of the problem.” He noted that human activity, including the dumping of plastics, religious offerings and untreated sewage, remains a major source of pollution in the Ganga and its tributaries. Millions of tonnes of waste enter the river annually across the country, affecting water quality and aquatic life.Environmentalists have cautioned that unless such practices are curbed, pollution risks in ecologically sensitive Himalayan regions like Gangotri could worsen. “Failure to address the issue could lead to serious long-term consequences,” said Uttarkashi-based environmentalist Dwarika Semwal.Suresh Semwal, secretary of Gangotri Temple Committee, said, “Authorities are urging pilgrims not to pollute the river in the name of faith. We appeal to visitors to dispose of clothes and ritual material only at designated sites.”