At the end of his third fast, it looks like Dr. G.D. Agrawal's goal has been achieved with the group of Ministers of the GoI agreeing to allow River Bhagirathi to flow in its natural state between Gangotri and Uttarkashi. A note by Dr. Ravi Chopra.

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I am happy to inform you that Dr G.D. Agrawal’s tapasya, his third fast-unto-death, has finally achieved the desired result.  Since 2008, Dr Agrawal has been trying to persuade the Government of Uttarakhand and the Government of India that R. (Bhagirathi) Ganga must be allowed to flow in its natural state in the uppermost reach between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.  The two governments had plans to construct three new large hydropower projects in this stretch.  Dr Agrawal’s fasts have led to the scrapping of all the three projects.

On August 24, 2010 – the 36^th day of Dr G.D. Agrawal’s fast – Shri Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Environment & Forests handed him a letter from Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Union Finance Minister and Head of a Group of Ministers (GoM) appointed by the Prime Minister to advise the GoI on the issues raised by Dr Agrawal. 

In this letter Shri.  Pranab Mukherjee outlined the following decisions of the GoI:

(i)     Scrapping the Loharinag-Pala, Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati Hydel projects on the R. Bhagirathi. Earlier the GoU had suspended work on its Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati projects.

(ii)   Declare approximately 135 km from Gaumukh (upstream of Gangotri) to Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone under the Environment Protection Act (1986).

(iii)  These decisions have been taken by the government keeping in mind the faith that millions of Indians have in the sanctity of R. Ganga.

(iv)  A consortium of seven IITs has been entrusted with the responsibility for preparing a comprehensive Ganga River Basin Management Plan.  The consortium will engage in the widest possible public consultations in this work.

(v)   The above decisions of the GoI will be formally ratified at a meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) to be convened soon.  Dr G.D. Agrawal and his selected supporters will address the Authority. 

Dr Agrawal reviewed the letter and announced that he would amend his fast-unto-death by beginning to consume a diet of fruits everyday.  He pointed out that in May 2009 the Uttarakhand High Court had ordered that a final decision on the construction or scrapping of the above-mentioned dams would be taken by the NGRBA, chaired by the Prime Minister.  Once the NGRBA ratifies the recommendations of the GoM, Dr Agrawal will begin consuming a normal diet including grains and vegetables.

R.Ganga has a unique status in the hearts and minds of Indian people who consider it as India’s most sacred river. They revere R.Ganga as a mother and a goddess capable of washing away all since. Millions of devotees immerse themselves or have their ashes immersed in the river, as a purification rite.  Consuming a few drops of Ganga jal is an essential sacrament for its devotees. 

My colleagues and I, among other well-wishers of Dr. Agrawal, have been in touch with you over the last two years and have sought your support for Dr. Agrawal’s stand. We wish to thank all of you who have helped sustain his campaign.

With warm regards,

                                                                                       Sincerely

                                                                                    Ravi Chopra