SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2008 | HYDROPOWER - MYTH OF POWER
Down To Earth|May 01, 2021
Nourisher of an ancient civilisation, the Ganga could be gasping for its survival
RAVLEEN KAUR AND TOM KENDALL
SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2008 | HYDROPOWER - MYTH OF POWER

WHILE GOING up the meandering road from Tehri to the holy town Gangotri during the thick of monsoon, the Bhagirathi appeared to get uneasily quieter with each hairpin bend; until Chinyali Sor village near Dharasu, 45 km from new Tehri town. The Tehri reservoir ends in the village. The river thereafter springs back to life and the roar of the gushing waters fills up the valleys. But the landscape gradually changes. Some of the mountains are bare and dotted along the road, every 500 metres, are graffiti, posters and signboards, giving out ominous messages. “Blasting Site” in bold, “Bandh Ganga ki hatya hai” (dams will kill the Ganga) and “Ganga ko aviral behne do” (let the Ganga flow unobstructed) are most common along this main stretch of pilgrim route where devotees go to pay their respects to Goddess Ganga, believed to be the daughter of heaven who came down on Earth through the matter locks of lord Shiva.

This story is from the May 01, 2021 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 01, 2021 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView All
International Women's Day Special SHE
Down To Earth

International Women's Day Special SHE

In India, women self-help groups have been a source of empowerment, fostering economic independence, social stature and community resilience.

time-read
10 mins  |
March 01, 2024
MODERATELY YOURS
Down To Earth

MODERATELY YOURS

The crunchy, slightly sweet tubers of shankhalu can be a healthy addition to one's diet

time-read
3 mins  |
March 01, 2024
TROUBLED TEAK
Down To Earth

TROUBLED TEAK

Farmers need to be sensitised about right planting materials and cultivation techniques to benefit from high-value teak plantations

time-read
6 mins  |
March 01, 2024
Follow the Chinese way on high tech
Down To Earth

Follow the Chinese way on high tech

Making universities the hub of innovation and churning out scientists adept in frontier technology has put China at the top

time-read
4 mins  |
March 01, 2024
Stronger resolve
Down To Earth

Stronger resolve

In the face of climate change, countries make a slew of commitments to ensure conservation of migratory species

time-read
2 mins  |
March 01, 2024
MIND YOUR THOUGHTS
Down To Earth

MIND YOUR THOUGHTS

Technologies with potential to read one’s thoughts have grown tremendously in recent years driven largely by artificial intelligence, a develooment that raises ethical and privacy issues

time-read
5 mins  |
March 01, 2024
Winter Without Snow
Down To Earth

Winter Without Snow

Record-low snowfall in the Himalayas is evidence that climate change is speeding up

time-read
3 mins  |
February 16, 2024
UNDERRATED GREEN
Down To Earth

UNDERRATED GREEN

Kohlrabi is a healthy but little used member of the cabbage family

time-read
3 mins  |
February 16, 2024
Historical hindsight
Down To Earth

Historical hindsight

An encyclopaedic work capturing the breathless changes in Assam’s recent history as well as its struggle for identity and modernity

time-read
6 mins  |
February 16, 2024
Making jugaad a global success
Down To Earth

Making jugaad a global success

Frugal innovation is the new concept that companies are adopting to take technology to developing countries

time-read
4 mins  |
February 16, 2024