For cleaner Ganga, ascetics stage protest on riverbed

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Claiming that Ganga was slowly dying in the district as water is not being released from Haridwar barrage, ascetics in Shukratal placed a cot in the middle of the riverbed on Saturday and staged a protest demanding that the water level be raised.
Located 30 km away from the district headquarters, Shukratal is a place frequented by ascetics and pilgrims throughout the year for a holy dip and other religious activities.
According to ascetics, aquatic life in the river has been destroyed and pollution has increased as water has not been released from Haridwar barrage. Talking to TOI, Acharya Krishna, a member of Ganga Seva Samiti, said, “Due to the religious significance of this place, devotees come here from far off places. However, there is no water even to take a holy dip. Our repeated requests to authorities have fallen in deaf ears.”
Veerpal Nirvana, a member of Clean Ganga mission, said, “The main reason for the depleting level in Shukratal is that enough water has not been released from the dam. I will discuss the issue with the minister for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation when I go to Delhi next time. It will be sorted out soon.”