Ganga’s faecal coliform bacteria level is learnt to be 3 to 12 times higher than that of the permissible limit at most interstate boundaries, according to the data released by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
For the unversed, Faecal coliform (FC) bacteria, like the fatal E Coli, are found in excreta that contaminates through untreated sewage. The greater the level of faecal coliform the greater is the chances of contaminating diseases.
The permissible limit for Faecal Coliform is 2,500 MPN (most probable number) /100 ml, while the desirable level is at 500 MPN/100 ml.
At Khagra in Berhampore, West Bengal, Faecal Coliform (FC) in the Ganges was known to be at its highest level, calculated at 30,000 MPN/ml which is in fact 12 times the permissible limit and 60 times more than that of the desired limit.
The Central Pollution Control Board has unveiled data of the river at around 9 inter-state boundaries passing through states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand.
It has been learnt that the faecal coliform was recorded within the allowable level in Bijnor and Uttar Pradesh and Sultanpur in Uttarakhand.
Even after knowing that we are responsible for all the mess we created, we are still blaming the government or politician. Not only the responsibility of government it’s the responsibility of everyone to keep it clean. It is the Holy Ganga! Wake up, everyone!