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Introduction
The Godavari ( गोदावरी) River is the only river in India that flows
from western to southern India and is considered to be one of the big
river basins in India. With a length of 1465 km, it is the second longest river in India after the Ganges
river. .It is also known as "Dakshin ganga (Southern Ganges)" or "Budi Ganga"
Godavari originates near Trimbak in Nashik District of Maharashtra
state and flows east across the Deccan Plateau into the Bay of Bengal near Narasapuram
in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh
The Godavari river is considered extremely holy by the Hindus
गंगे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति |
नर्मदे सिन्धुकाबेरि जलेऽस्मिऩ सन्निधिं कुरु ||
The most sacred rivers of India are Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarswati, Narmada, Sindhu and
Kaveri, a dip in any of these rivers washes ones sins away..
Like most other rivers, domestic pollution is the biggest polluter of
the river Godavari, accounting for 82 per cent of total pollution, whereas industrial pollution accounts for about 18 per cent.
The story of pollution in the Godavari river evolves around the tiny Nakavaggu rivulet, which joins the Manjira, a tributary of the
Godavari. The rivulet is dead and supports no life. Highly productive agricultural
land surrounds the rivulet. More than 150 small and medium industries
and several large industries near the twin cities of Secunderabad and
Hyderabad release their effluents into the Nakavaggu rivulet.
However most of the blame lies with the 72 industries in the Patancheru
Industrial area that have been dumping their effluents into the river.
Bereft of treatment facilities, industrial effluents are let out into streams that collect in ponds. This overflow later reaches the
Nakavaggu. A drain leading to Nakavaggu also carries effluents from
BHEL, Asian Paints, and Voltas industries. Industrial discharge from such industries has severely affected public
health, surface and ground water and agriculture in 22 villages in this area.
Necessary efforts were being made to pursue the centre to declare Polavaram Project on river
Godavari as National Project, said N.Kiran kumar reddy ,Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh .While addressing
the public meeting at Tuni in east Goadavari district as a part of participating in Rachabanda programe on
January 25, 2911.
Source of Godavari River
The source of the Godavari river s Trimbakeshwar,in the Nashik
Subdivision or District Of Maharashtra and flowing eastwardly across the
Deccan Plateau through the state of Maharashtra.
Godavari River in plains
The Godavari River originating in the Western Ghats Trimbakeshwar,in the Nashik
of Maharashtra and flowing eastwardly across the Deccan Plateau through the state of Maharashtra. It enters Andhra Pradesh at Kandhakurthi
in Nizamabad district , While passing through telangana region of Andhra Pradesh it touches a small village called
Dharmapuri, crossing the Deccan Plateau and then turns to flow in a southeast direction until it empties
into the Bay of Bengal through two mouths.`
There are several major towns and cities along the River Godavari. River
Godavari has been serving as the life giver and sanctifier for most of
the towns in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Major towns and cities along the river in Maharashtra are
Nashik, Trimbakeshwar (10th Jyotirliga of Lord Shiv), Kopargaon , Paithan (Ancient capital of Satvahan dynasty, Holy town),
Gangakhed, Nanded , Sironcha and Gevrai in District Beed
In Andhra Pradesh major towns and cities along the river are
Basara, Adilabad (Gnana Saraswati Temple), Nirmal, Tadpakala, Nizamabad </wiki/Nizamabad_district> (Armoor Toys)cbattapur, Nizamabad (Armoor Toys), Goodem gutta , Adilabad (Temple)cDharmapuri , Karimnagar (Narasimha Swamy Temple),
Kaleshwaram , Karimnagar (Kaleswara Mukhteswara swamy (Siva) Temple) Manthani , Karimnagar (Gautameshwara Swami(Siva)Temple, Sri Rama, Sarswathi Temples) Mancherial , Adilabad Godavarikhani , Karimnagar EturiNagaram Bhadrachalam , Khammam , Rajamundry , East Godavari
Yanam ,Kovvur , West Godavari, Tallapudi , West Godavari Narsapur, West Godavari Antarvedi , East Godavari, Tadipudi , WestGodavari
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Dams on Godavari River
There is a big dam built just after the source of the river at Trimbakeshwar . The dam is in the town of
Gangapur, which literally means a town on a river. The dam provides drinking water
to the residents of Nashik and also supplies water to the thermal power station situated downstream at Eklahara, which providespower to the town.
There is another multipurpose project on the Godavari River named Sriram Sagar Project on the borders of Adilabad and
Nizamabad District. It is in the town of Pochampad, 60 km away from
Nizamabad. It irrigates 4 districts of Northern Telangana Region of Andhra Pradesh and supplies power.
The Jayakwadi dam near Paithan is one of the largest earthen dam in India. This dam was built to address
the problem of drought in Marathwada region and problem of flood along
the bank of river. Two 'left' and 'right' canals provide the irrigation to fertile land up to Nanded district. This dam has major contribution
in industrial development of Aurangabad Maharashtra.
Near Rajamundry the largest city on the banks of
Godavari, there is a dam that provides water for irrigation. Below Rajahmundry, the river divides into two streams that
widen into a large river delta which has an extensive navigable irrigation-canal system, Dowleswaram Barrage
that links the region to the Krishna River delta to the southwest.
The Polavarm dam in Andhra Pradesh, to be built on the Godavari river, could now run up against a green hurdle
despite a conditional clearance by Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh.
Godavari Bachao Andolan
In 1986,citizens launched an awareness campaign against
Godavari river pollution. Dr Kishan Rao, a medical practitioner from Patancheru and members of the
Citizens Against Pollution (CAP) movement initiated the campaign.Combined with the affected communities, they formed the Patancheru
Anti-Pollution Committee (PAPC) in 1986. Activists staged dharnas, relay
hunger strikes and demanded that the state government end such pollution. Their protests also included a Patancheru bandh and a 40-km
long march to the state assembly, where they presented a list of demands to the then chief minister, N T Rama Rao.
Their demands included that each industry construct an effluent treatment plant (ETP); that industries ensure adequate compensation for
degraded agricultural land and that they supply safe drinking water to the affected villages. Farmers from the adjoining areas of Sultanpur,
Gandigudem and Krishnareddypeta organized a rally as part of an awareness campaign in the Bollaram industrial area on August 18, 1986,
blocking roads leading to the industrial area. Three days later, the
PAPC held a dharna in front of the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Rangareddy?s office. The outcome was a promise to control pollution.
Continuous pressure from the PAPC forced the district administration to serve notice to 22 industries in the area. The courts set a September 3,
1987 deadline to industries to build individual ETPs.
However, in the absence of any substantial results after the due date, the PAPC
announced its second phase of public protests by organizing a "race against pollution" on September 12, 1987. About 500 bullocks obstructed
the Hyderabad- Mumbai highway for over six hours. On October 9 that year, farmers filed a writ petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court against
20 of the 22 polluting industries. Lengthy legal process started. In 1988, the government held a series of
meetings to discuss short- and long-term solutions. Though a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) appeared to be acceptable to most
industries, some large industries claimed that they already had their own ETPs. While talks flitted from discussion table to boardroom, 12
units were served closure notice on May 7, 1989. After the industries obtained a stay order from the court, farmers and activists initiated
another agitation -- a rasta roko at the Bollaram industrial area, which
began on October 1990.
When a ruling by the division bench of the high court went in favour of
the industries, farmers approached the Supreme Court through the eminent lawyer and Magsaysay award winner, M C Mehta. The five-year long battle
saw the apex court asking the Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to conduct an exhaustive report
on industrial pollution in the Nakavaggu basin. While the NEERI report suggested compensation for the farmers affected,
the Supreme Court passed interim orders for industries to immediately cease releasing effluents into water bodies. The apex court observed
that 56 industries were dumping untreated effluents into the Isakavagu
and Nakavaggu, polluting the rivers. The court also sought provision of
safe drinking water to the affected persons by October 1998, restoration of cultivable land by applying a suitable conditioner, that industries
take remedial action for 13 tanks by the year 2000, medical care to pollution victims and sustained vigilance of industrial discharge.
The court order brought about some action. Piped safe drinking water
from metro water works was provided at a project cost of Rs 5.5 crore. Monetary relief of Rs 2.13 crore has been paid to the victims of
pollution. However, pollution controlled measures through CETPs is an
unfinished task. Patancheru Enviro-Tech limited (PETL), which isresponsible for monitoring and maintaining the CETPs, is managed by the
executive board of 156 Patancheru industries. But only 80 of them send their pre-treated effluents to the three constructed CETPs.
History
The river has been mentioned
in the Purans and ancient scriptures. According to a legend Sage Gautama lived on the Brahmagiri Hills at
Trayambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. The rishi kept his stock of rice in a granary. Once, a cow entered his granary and ate up the rice. When
the rishi tried to ward the cow away with Durbha grass, it fell dead.
The rishi wanted to relieve himself of the sin of ‘Gohatya’. He worshipped Lord Shiva and requested him to bring the Ganges to purify
his hermitage. Lord Shiva pleased with the rishi appeared as Triambaka and brought along the river Ganges. Since the Ganges was brought down to
Triambakeshwar by Sage Gautama, it is known here as Gautami. It is also
known as Godavari because the river helped Sage Gautama to relieve his sins. |
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Godavari in Hindu religion
The Godavari river is one of the most sacred holy rivers of India among
Ganga (गंगा) , Yamuna (यमुना) , Narmada ( नर्मदा} and
Kaveri. According to mythology, Godavari, the sister of river Ganga, emerged
from the ata of Lord Shiva who was meditating on the mountain. The place is hence considered holy and revered.Every Hindu believes that a dip in any of these five rivers washes their sins, The Godavari River is sacred to Hindus and has several
temples built on its banks. It has been held as a special place of pilgrimage for many thousands of years. Many famous
devotees including Baladeva (5000 years ago) and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (500 years ago) have visited here.
Godavari is considered the Dhakshin (Southern) Ganges and Rajahmundry Dhakshin Kasi. Every twelve years, Pushkaram fair is held on its banks
of the Godavari river.
Maha Shivaratri (महाशिवरात्रि)
was celebrated in Trimbakeshwar with religious fervor on February 20, 2012. Around two lakh devotees gathered in the small town of Trimbakeshwar at
the foothills of Brahamagiri mountain. The temple of Trimbakeshwar is known for its shivalinga, also revered as
one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Trimbakeshwar is the only temple, where the lingam is not cylindrical upwards but is inward like a bowl, which is
considered as the unison of Bramha, Vishnu विष्णु) and Shiva (शिव)
The banks of Godavari river has many pilgrimage sites.
* Trimbakeshwar, One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and ancient temple of Lord Shiva .
* Nashik - One of the four Sinhastha Kumbh Mela
* Paithan - Saint Eknath's native place, famous Jayakwadi dam , and a beautiful garden - Sant Dnyneshwar Udyan.
* Nanded - Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, One of the five most sacred places in Sikhism
* Basar - Sri Gyana Saraswati temple is situated on the banks of Godavari.
* Dharmapuri, Andhra Pradesh - Hindu Temple of Lord Narasimha
* Kaleshwaram - Sri Kaleswara Mukhteswara swamy Temple on Triveni sangamam of godavari and pranahita.
* Bhadrachalam - Hindu Temple of Lord Rama.
* Rajahmundry - Center for Telugu Literature.
* Pattiseema - A village where a Hindu temple is located on a small hill on an island in the river.
* Antarvedi - Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple.
* Konaseema - Picturesque delta of Godavari.
Economy
The River Godavari is very important for the economically development of
this region. The river water is heavily used for agriculture, as it is the only available water source. Over half of the river basin (18.6 million ha), is categorized as
cultivable land. Most of the river’s water is drawn for irrigation purposes. Application of fertilizers is very high at 49.34 kg/hectares,
almost double the country’s average. However, the river's water has turned the
fertile soil toxic with heavy metals. The soil contains heavy metals like iron, nickel, zinc, copper, cobalt and cadmium.
Ecology
The Coringa mangrove forests in the Godavari delta are the second
largest mangrove formation in the country. Part of this has been declared as the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for its reptiles.
They also provide an important habitat to a wide variety of fish and
crustaceans. These forests also act as barriers against cyclones, tropical stroms and tidal waves thus protecting the nearby villages.
The Krishna Godavari basin is one of the main nesting sites of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle.
Godavari river development
The
Godavari river development are the policies and rules to keep the banks of the river clean and developed. The
Godavari River features huge resources and potential for the development of the region. The
Godavari river development was designed to keep the banks and water of the river clean and usable for resource needs.
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Tributaries of River Godavari
The tributaries of Godavari River
are Pravara, Indravati , Wainganga , Wardha, Pench, Kanhan and Penuganga rivers, discharge an
enormous volume of water into the Godavari system. Its tributaries include Indravati, Manjira River, Bindusara River and Sabari River
Environment Protection
Polavaram Project on river Godavari as National Project, said
N.Kiran Kumar reddy ,Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. This project was already in PM package and declaration as national
project would help to get ninety percent funds from the centre. The Technical Advisory Committee
and had approved the project and received environmental protection clearance. would be cleared soon , he added .
Residents of the Panchavati (Nasik) area are unhappy over the pollution in the Godavari River, including Ramkund, Laxmankund and nearby areas.
Situated on the banks of the river Godavari, Panchavati is one of the oldest areas of the city and a centre of pilgrimage, as thousands of the
tourists and devotees visit it daily. Hundreds of small and big ancient
temples are located in the area, which is one of the only four places in the country where the Kumbh Mela is held.
Encroachment around temples is another problem. Temples along the river
must be free of hawkers and permission to shops or hawkers should be
given after proper planning, but this does not happen. A vegetable market is set up on the river banks every Wednesday. In some places,
vendors even sell meat on open spaces.
Google map Godavari
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