Tossing copper, silver coins in rivers may help reduce water pollution

The idea was one of the solutions mooted by a gathering of environmentalists, social activists, Gandhians, agricultural scientists and academicians on the final day International River Festival on the banks of the Narmada on Monday.

According to them, the combination is believed to stop cell division. It, thus, would check bacterial multiplication and eventually lead to the micro-organism’s death. A coin specially minted for the purpose was offered at the confluence of the Narmada and the Tawa rivers at Bandrabhan in Hoshangabad district, the picturesque venue of the meet, which was watched by about 500 participants including foreigners.

Anil Dave of Narmada Samagra, the organisers of the festival, told The Indian Express that thousands of Rs 2 and Rs 5 coins will be minted for the purpose with the help of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, and would be made available on the banks from Amarkantak, Narmada’s origin to Bharuch, where it meets the sea.

The other measures included: making detergent-free soaps available to reduce pollution; promoting tree plantation within 200m of the river-bed and awarding those working for the conservation of river.

The meet felt that excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticide had contributed to the depleting flow of water in river and taken its toll on quality of underground water. Also, wrong crop patterns in different parts of the country, particularly in the rain-irrigated areas, was also considered one of the causes.

Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh and politician Govindacharya were among the participants at the meet that came up with ‘Bandrabhan Declaration’ that focuses on promoting research, audit of water consumption and recharging the tributaries that feed the main river.