‘GD Agarwal was dissatisfied with govt note on Ganga flow’

Agarwal, he said, was upset on two counts — the notification put down e-flow rates which were not based on any scientific study, and it only extended up to Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. “He was upset that the rest of the river was forgotten. Was Gadkari only paying attention to the stretch that will benefit his inland waterways projects?” Chopra asked.

Read | Activist GD Agrawal dies during fast-unto-death for Ganga conservation

This was Agarwal’s sixth fast for the cause of the river. In 2009, work on Loharing Pala Hydropower Project had stopped as the condition of Agarwal, then on the 38th day of fast, deteriorated. Chopra said he met Agarwal in the early-80s and the two worked closely when the activist began his campaign for Ganga protection in 2008. “We travelled extensively and I learnt a lot about the science of environmental flows. He taught me about the enormous self-purifying capacity of the river,” Chopra said.

Many The Indian Express spoke to fondly remembered ‘GD’ as a “honest, simple and down to earth man”.
Manoj Misra, who has fought to save the Yamuna in Delhi, said Agarwal’s death was a national loss. “He was stubborn and this time he was on a mission to sacrifice, and he did.”

Read | Who was activist GD Agarwal?

Former Union Environment Minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said he met Agarwal several times in 2009-2011. “He was an indefatigable crusader not only for Nirmal Ganga but also for Aviral Ganga. It was my privilege and good fortune to be able to implement some of his important suggestions to ensure uninterrupted flow in the holy Ganga and its tributaries in Uttarakhand,” he said.