Varanasi: If the Ganga water had become clean in Varanasi due to a significant dip in pollution levels during the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, this time the same stream has turned green due to algal bloom. The changed colour of the stream in the past two days has come as a surprise for the local residents while also drawing the attention of environmentalists as well as scientists of the regional office of the UP Pollution Control Board.

According to environmental scientists, it might have come from some side drains or stagnant sources during rainfall and will disappear with the increase in the flow of water. UPPCB officials also claimed that it would have come to Varanasi from upstream of the river, and now these algae are gradually disappearing with the flow of water.

“From visual observation, it appears algal blooms formed by the algae named Microcystis, which is found in stagnant water. In Ganga it might have come from some side drains or stagnant source during rain,” said noted environment scientist and chairman of Malviya Ganga Research Centre at Banaras Hindu University Prof. BD Tripathi. According to him, it will disappear with increasing flow of water. “If the condition persists for a longer duration, it may cause fish mortality,” he said, adding that normally neurotoxin — microcystin — is produced by the algae which may be harmful to other aquatic animals.”

“In my opinion, a detailed investigation may be done by UPPCB lab scientists,” he told TOI on Friday. According to a scientist of the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, BHU, Dr. Kripa Ram, the algae grows due to increased nutrients in the water. “During the rains, these algae flow to the river from fertile lands. After getting adequate nutrients, they start the process of photosynthesis. Phosphate, sulphur and nitrate are the nutrients that help the algae grow.”

Regional officer of Pollution Control Board Kalika Singh said, “There is nothing to worry, as the algae have not grown in Varanasi but have come from the upstream. We are monitoring the situation and have also examined the level of dissolved oxygen of Ganga and other parameters, which were found normal.” He added, “The algae has started moving away with the stream.”

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