Crusading for the Yamuna's Future

[Guest guest]

Crusading for the Yamuna's Future

 

by Philip Reeves and Shivani Dogra

National Public Radio (NPR) U.S.

NPR.org

 

November 23, 2007

 

When the city of Delhi first grew on the banks of the

river Yamuna, the river was pure and pristine. It flowed

down to the dusty plains from the Himalayas, irrigating

and supporting life as it wound through the city.

 

In the 17th century, the Emperor Shah Jahan had the

imposing Red Fort built on its banks. On its banks also

lie memorials to Mahatma Gandhi, Indira and Rajiv

Gandhi, and many other famed Indian leaders.

 

The Yamuna is held sacred by the Hindus who believe

" she " is a Goddess. Revered and holy, the river joins the

Ganges 600 miles from Delhi at what is considered one

of the holiest confluences of rivers in the Hindu religion.

 

Before the Yamuna enters Delhi, the river looks

relatively clean. There are rushes and vibrant birdlife

along its banks. This is in stark contrast with what it

looks like as soon as it enters the city.

 

The river banks are strewn with garbage. Tiny methane

bubbles crowd its surface, and the river lets off an

unbearable stench.

 

Soon the waterway becomes a black flow of toxic waste

and sewage - the city's waste piped into the river by

what residents of Delhi call " drains. " These are as wide

as highways.

 

Whatever cleansing treatment is given to the drains'

contents does not seem to have much impact. As it

winds through the heart of the capital, the Yamuna,

slowly dies - and most of the city's citizens don't care.

 

Most, but not all.

 

The river does have her warriors. One of them is 29-

year-old Vimlendu Jha. He heads an organization called

Swechha, translated as " one's free will. " His one mission

in life is to save the dying river.

 

He hopes to increase awareness and bring about change

by organizing " yatras " - 15-day journeys four times a

year - taking students and adults along the river to its

source.

 

What he calls " awareness walks " along the banks of the

river in Delhi are another means of spreading the word

- or just making people in the city realize that they

have a river that supports them and needs help fast.

 

" Attitudes need to change, " he says. " Through these

yatras we want to trace the degradation of the river by

the modern temples, the industries, the traditional

temples and the people. And it is incorrect to say that

people who live on the banks of the river are polluting it.

We, we who live kilometers away from it, are polluting

it as much. "

 

Jha knows he faces a huge task if he wants to change

attitudes. But he also believes it's possible.

 

" Today, for example, I have got 10 people to show them

Yamuna. They might not do anything for Yamuna in

their lifetime, " he says. " But if I can take 10 million

people on similar environmental walks, maybe half a

million people will do something about it. That's what

the idea is: action and hope. That's what drives me. "

 

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