By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Researchers from the prestigious IIT Roorkee have presented a new perspective on the summer flow of the Ganga river claiming it comes mainly from groundwater discharge, and not from melting glaciers, as was previously believed.
Environmentalists in Uttarakhand are claiming that the Himalayan glaciers are melting rapidly due to various factors including the climate change which would adversely affect the flow of Ganga.
The new study by IIT Roorkee marks a significant shift in understanding the water sources of the Ganga. According to the research published by the PIB, the water of the Ganga river comes mainly from groundwater, which increases its water level by up to 120% in the middle part of the river. Especially in summers, 58% of the river’s water is lost to evaporation, which is an overlooked and worrying aspect.
This study also made it clear that Himalayan glaciers have no significant contribution to the summer flow of the Ganga. The flow of the Ganga till Patna is mainly derived from groundwater, and the water derived from the glaciers does not affect this flow. Other tributaries like Ghaghara and Gandak contribute to the main flow of Ganga in summer.
This research provides important clues for water management and river rejuvenation. It has also proved the importance of government schemes like Namami Gange, Atal Bhujal Yojana and Jal Shakti Abhiyan, which aim to clean rivers and recharge groundwater.
Prof. Abhyanand Singh Maurya, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Roorkee and author of this study, said, “our research shows that the water level of Ganga is declining not due to depletion of groundwater but due to excessive water use, change in waterways and neglect of tributaries,”
Prof. KK Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee said, “This study presents a new perspective in understanding the summer flow of Ganga. This can be a sustainable river rejuvenation strategy not only for Ganga, but for all major Indian rivers.” In conclusion, this research sends out the message that if India wants to make Ganga sustainable, it must focus on protecting and recharging its aquifers, leaving enough water in the main river channel and reviving tributaries. The future of Ganga depends on water management, not just on glaciers.