CPREEC - EIACP Programme Centre, Resource Partner on Ecological Heritage and Sacred Sites of India

Dehradun: Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has selected ‘Ganga praharis’ (Ganga guardians) from various villages and education institutions of Uttarakhand and trained them to sensitise people living on the river banks about conservation of Gangetic species. 

WII has collaborated with various state government departments to transfer benefits of livelihood schemes to locals during the sensitisation drive, which is being organised under the aegis of the Namami Gange programme. 

Divulging details, WII scientist S A Hussain said, “Large number of trained volunteers known as ‘Ganga praharis’ are being involved in the restoration of species found in the Ganga. They will educate people not to pollute the river and also encourage them to give up fishing for the conservation of Gangetic species.” 

In the first phase, Ganga praharis are upgrading animal rescue and rehabilitation centres for all aquatic species found in the Ganga, including conservation of 13 turtle species, in Varanasi and Bulandshahar. 

Arvind Juyal, a Ganga prahari for Devprayag region, said, “I have formed a committee of 30 youngsters who will sensitise students in schools and colleges in villages and towns located on the river banks. They will also remove garbage from the river banks between Gangotri and Devprayag.” 

Noting that WII is acting as a bridge between various government departments and people, Ruchi Badola, another WII scientist, said, “We are facilitating meetings between officials of different government departments and village communities to make people aware about various government schemes for their livelihood.” 

R Suresh, a WII scientist who is assisting the turtle project, said, “WII is working on conservation of aquatic species, including Gangetic soft-shell turtle, a vulnerable species, in Uttarakhand. Turtle, one of the top predators in the riverine system, is an indicator of good health of the river. The turtles are usually found in clean and unpolluted water, and help keeping river free by scavenging on dead organisms.”

Source: The Times of India