Rivers as Lifeline of Urbanization- An Environmental Case Analysis

Abstract

Rivers and water are essential resources for human life, the environment and development of any nation. In India, the significance of rivers as the focal point of human settlement was established from the early times of civilisation and will remain so. Ancient India is always referred as land of seven rivers. Rivers here have religious significance but India’s rivers are depleting at an alarming rate. Riverfronts are not merely unique spaces in a city, but also the most representative region which reflect the local character. Since the industrial revolution, urban population and the need for land have increased rapidly; a good many riverfront spaces have been occupied, resulting in the deterioration of water quality of the rivers. A case study on the degradation of river and their restoration is been explained in this paper using example of Hindon river and Yamuna River. The region of Ghaziabad is plain and lacks topographic prominence. River channels break the monotony of physical landscape. The major sources of waste generation within Ghaziabad largely comprise of residential areas, poor yojna area, vegetable markets industrial and slaughter waste .open dumping of municipal solid waste quiet often in scattered heaps has occupies a larger space near the river . The land around the river Hindon is a breeding ground for pathogens, flies, malodours and generation of which leads to water pollution. The land can be completely bioremedised followed by development of beautiful garden “Eco-Energy Park - Hindon Eco Park” adjacent to Sai Upvan. The research aims at providing landscape solutions to eliminate the further degradation and pollution of nearby soil, air and Hindon river. Today, with the abysmal state of drainage and solid-waste management of the city Delhi, the Yamuna has become a huge drain carrying the waste of this mega city. Millions of rupees have been spent by successive governments in order to clean the river, but to no significant change in the situation. The spaces around the river are also rather ‘lost spaces’ with either agricultural field, derelict power stations, stadiums and memorials. With very high densities in the residential areas, it has to be realized that Delhi is in dire need of a large public open space. The study aims at reconnecting the city to the river not only metaphorically, but to establish physical linkages and improve the quality of the environment and create opportunities to activate the riverfront. The paper will focus on the causes, impact and measures of pollution of rivers in case of Yamuna and Hindon in NCR region