Living Out of Ganga: A Traditional Yet Imperiled Livelihood on Bamboo Post Harvest Processing and Emerging Problems of Ganga

Abstract

River Ganga with its tributaries provides livelihood and support for some 450 million people in India. Never in the history of mankind had a river of medium length such colossal importance ranging from social, cultural, economic and even spiritual motives. From its beginning at Gangotri to its ending at Gangasagar, in the entire stretch of 2,510 km, it provides means for livelihood of diverse nature and forms to groups of people. Post harvest processing of bamboo for its endured use utilizing Ganga water is one such livelihood. Considering the wide scale and multifarious utility of bamboo, existence of this group is utterly indispensable and requires attention discussed in the article. The present article is an attempt to put focus on their life and times with the changing Ganga scenarios which are actually two pronged – drying up and pollution facets. While the reasons for drying up of the river affecting the above and all other forms of livelihood are partially climatogenic and geogenic, but mostly anthropogenic in nature, the reasons for pollution are entirely anthropogenic. Ganga is the face of the nation and as such awareness and efforts are needed in all possible quarters to keep the face enlivened before it is too late.