Context
- Around 45 crore people (nearly a third of India’s population) have visited Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela since mid-January.
- Large gatherings increase the risk of disease transmission due to microbial contamination.
Water Contamination Concerns
- The Ganga at Prayagraj becomes a complex microbiome due to mass bathing and water consumption.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been monitoring water quality since the festival began.
Fluctuations in Water Quality
- On January 14 (Makar Sankranti), faecal coliform levels were dangerously high:
- Sangam Ghat: 11,000 units (4 times the permissible limit of 2,500 units).
- Old Naini Bridge Ghat (Yamuna): 33,000 units.
- On other days, these levels dropped to as low as 200 to 780 units.
- Similar fluctuations were noted in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels.
CPCB Report on Water Safety
- A February 3 report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stated that on January 12-13, 2025, the water was unfit for bathing and drinking.
- Freshwater intrusion upstream helped reduce organic pollution temporarily.
Persistent Pollution Beyond Kumbh Mela
- Routine CPCB monitoring shows that the Ganga at Prayagraj is consistently unfit for drinking.
- Suitability for bathing depends on water flow and dilution.
Government’s Response and Concerns
- Uttar Pradesh CM dismissed the scientific data as “baseless”, which is misleading.
- The National Mission for Clean Ganga requires sustained cleanup efforts, not denial of pollution concerns.
Call for Long-Term Solutions
- The Kumbh Mela highlights the urgent need for long-term river restoration.
- Science should aid faith, and ignoring scientific findings harms both health and spirituality.
Building inclusive climate resilience in India’s cities
Context
- The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed in Lok Sabha (December 2024), aims to improve climate resilience in Indian cities.
- Indian cities face water shortages, floods, cyclones, and extreme heat due to poor disaster planning.
Challenges of Informal Settlements
- One in five urban Indians lives in informal settlements, which are often excluded from disaster response plans.
- 200 million people are expected to move to cities between 2020-2035, increasing climate risks and urban challenges.
Existing Scalable Resilience Solutions
- Transitions Research and the Global Resilience Partnership analyzed 130+ resilience solutions in informal settlements across the Global South.
- India has home-grown solutions that can be scaled up for urban resilience.
Leveraging Local Knowledge and Partnerships
- Community-led initiatives can provide valuable adaptation insights.
- Example: Jodhpur Heat Action Plan (Mahila Housing Trust & NRDC) mapped extreme heat risks with community participation.
- Example: Odisha’s sanitation project (Practical Action) improved waste management using mobile technologies and public-private partnerships.
Digital Tools for Climate Resilience
- AI and digital mapping can help identify climate-vulnerable areas and improve response strategies.
- Example: SEEDS & Microsoft AI for Resilient Cities mapped heatwave risks in Delhi & Nagpur, reaching 72,000 people in 2023.
Innovative Financing for Climate Solutions
- Informal communities benefit from microfinance, community savings, and public-private partnerships.
- Example: Three Wheels United, a fintech startup, provides low-interest loans for electric rickshaws, improving income for 20,000+ drivers.
The Need for Policy Integration
- Urban resilience efforts must be included in State/local budgets, climate action plans, urban development programs, and laws like the Disaster Management Act.
- Strengthening policy and financing mechanisms is crucial to scale climate solutions.
A Pathway to Sustainable Cities
- Inclusive resilience planning will help build equitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient cities.
Investing in informal settlements is essential for India’s long-term climate and development goals.