After decades, Ganga water at Haridwar classified as ‘fit to drink’
While India is practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus several lives have come to a standstill. However, it cannot be denied that the lockdown has positively impacted nature in various ways. Be it a clear improvement in the air quality of the national capital to the cleaner skies across the country, the nationwide lockdown is a blessing for nature.
Meanwhile, no effluents are being discharged into the water bodies as industries have closed down due to the lockdown. Likewise, the water of the Ganga river in Rishikesh and Haridwar is cleaner and less polluted.
Meanwhile, the SS Pal, chief environment officer of UEPPCB stated that there is a 34 percent reduction in fecal coliform (human excreta) and a 20 percent reduction in biochemical oxygen demand at Har-ki-Pauri in April."
Also Read | Coronavirus positive cases in India rise to 17,265; death toll 543
The chief environment officer stated that for the first time in recent history, the water in Har-ki-Pauri has ranked in Class A post lockdown called in to combat the spread of coronavirus. Class A water has a pH balance between 6.5 to 8.5 while the optimum pH for river water is said to be around 7.4.
-PTC News 
