India is
endowed with some of the mighty river systems of the world. Amongst
these the Ganges system which has the Ganga and The Yamuna as the major
tributaries has the unique fertile plains (Doab) between the two rivers.
We have been reading about the geological past of these rivers in this
column. Let us take a look at how the plains between these rivers were
plundered in the recent past.
Natural catastrophes like earthquake, landslide and flood can cause
lasting ecological imbalances. Nature has its own way of resurrection
and the damage is set right over a period of time. It is the human
interference in the natural processes that the Mother Nature is not able
to cope up. The Eco-system of the Doab was greatly influenced by the
ever-demanding British rule from mid eighteenth century onwards.
To visualize the damage, it is essential to know what ecology means.
Ecology may be defined as the relationship between living organisms and
their environment. In reality it is not merely bilateral but a
multilateral, interactive arrangement. The race for the so-called
'development' or the ruler's greed/need for money can cause irreversible
damage to the Eco-system. European expansionism is a classic example of
such damages in our country. During the course of their 'trade' and
capture forays the Europeans wittingly or unwittingly brought/imported
new species of animals, viruses, bacteria and flora. The consequences of
these 'alien' fauna and flora were tragic for the autochthonous ones. In
addition, the direct attack on the ecology was the worst form of
permanent damage.
The East India Company enhanced its activities leading to the British
territorial rule in India. The British found that this was the land best
suited for raising cash crops, i.e. cotton, sugarcane and indigo.
Naturally Doab was their first choice. The rivers Ganga and Yamuna upon
entering the plain flow parallel to each other for about 500 Km. The
fertile land approximately 80 to 120 Km wide separates the two Rivers.
This land is termed as the Doab. Yet another classic example of a famous
Doab is Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates
Rivers.
The Ganga-Yamuna Doab was endowed with thick forests. The advent of
Mughals initiated the process of deforestation. However, the central and
the lower Doab, i.e. part of the country between Bulandshahar to beyond
Kanpur, continued to be a lush green forest until the beginning of the
nineteenth century. The forest belt was about 200 Km long and 30 Km
wide. In the districts of Aligarh, Etah, Mainpuri and Kanpur it was so
dense that humans dared not venture in. Mostly it was a Dhak forest that
hosted a variety of fauna and flora. Historical records indicate that
the forest was so thick that Alexander's forces during his military
expeditions to India refused to enter the Ganga plains.
The economic compulsions of the British were too many. In order to hold
the new territories they needed money. Food grains were required for
feeding the British troupes and export of cotton and indigo was
essential for the rulers to sustain their economy. It was but natural
that the forests were rapidly cleared to augment the farmland. The
British also needed to chop trees to make boats and steamers. They
needed wooden sleepers to lay rail tracks in the country not for
carrying the natives but for hauling the agricultural produce from
mainland to the coasts and to ship it back home.
When we talk of environment we talk of the mega-environment which
sustains all of us. We forget about the micro-environment which is the
back-bone of the ecosystem. In an ecosystem, vegetation, water recharge
and climatic conditions are interdependent.
Removal of forest cover
immediately destroys the bacteria and the insects thriving in the root
zone of the trees. The presence of these keeps the soil moist. Forests
influence the precipitation and are also the sinks of Carbon dioxide.
Studies have revealed that the precipitation rises by about 20% in the
densely forested areas.
The growth of trees and shrubs etc. keeps the ground spongy. In other
words it aids rainwater to seep in. Absence of vegetation causes
channels to be formed on the surface and the result is rainwater run
off. Vegetation of any type keeps the erosion under check. Soil erosion
brings down the fertility. Once removed it takes about 1000 years for
the soil to be formed again.
The worst impact of soil erosion is in the form of dust storms. The
particles of suspended dust form a blanket over the ground in the
atmosphere. They prevent the atmospheric instability essential to induce
rains. Thus despite increased humidity; the conditions to trigger rain
are withheld by the blanket of dust. Such haze is now a big headache for
the travelers, in the winters. Flights and rail services go haywire.
According to Michael Mann, the noted environment historian, as a
consequence of massive deforestation, the summer temperatures of Doab
started to soar from 1820 onwards. People started using Pankhas (hand
driven fans), which were earlier, considered unnecessary, from 1850
onwards in the army barracks and from 1851 in the homes as well. Donald
Butler, a contemporary observer attributed deforestation as the root
cause of rise in temperatures and increased hot winds (Lu).
Vast Usar (alkaline) tracts developed in Etah and Mainpuri districts in
the Chambal valley. The Chambal and its tributaries are unique because
they flow northwards, whereas majority of the Himalayan rivers flow
towards the south. This is because Chambal is an ancient River system
which has been draining towards north even before the Himalayas came up. As a
consequence of the rise of the Himalayas a depression or 'foredeep' was
formed just south of the Himalayas and that made the Chambal and its
tributaries flow rapidly into that. Later after the Ganga system had
developed, the Chambal joined that. As such even today it is a fast,
north flowing river. Fast flowing river cut deep channel and enhanced
bank erosion. And to cap it all the hacking of the forests of the
Chambal—Yamuna Doab aggravated the erosion. Finally ravine formation
made the area worthless for agriculture and today it faces a social
crisis. Without any occupation residents take to guns and the menace
continues.
What happened in the past can be attributed to the shortsightedness of
the British rulers. In their need and greed for more revenue vast
farmlands were carved out of the forests. Scientific knowledge was
primitive and the rulers had their own priorities. In a democratic rule
it is imperative that people realize the significance of forests and
start plantation now. The benefits will be no doubt enjoyed by the
future generations.
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India is
endowed with some of the mighty river systems of the world. Amongst
these the Ganges system which has the Ganga and The Yamuna as the major
tributaries has the unique fertile plains (Doab) between the two rivers.
We have been reading about the geological past of these rivers in this
column. Let us take a look at how the plains between these rivers were
plundered in the recent past.