The Binwa river flowing beneath the historic Baijnath bridge in Kangra district is increasingly getting polluted due to the dumping of the waste material of so-called “tantrik rituals” and superstitious practices. Residents and environmentalists have expressed concern over the dumping of puja material and other waste into the river in the name of spiritual remedies and planetary peace. Every week, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, people can be seen gathering on the bridge to perform rituals believed to ward off evil spirits, remove planetary defects and bring peace and prosperity. After completing these rituals, they throw lemons, coconuts, chillies, clothes, flowers, incense material and other items directly into the river.
Locals say that the scene at the bridge is often disturbing. While some people perform rituals with full faith, others record videos on mobile phones and circulate them on social media. In the process, the Binwa river, which serves as an important natural water source in the region, continues to bear the burden of increasing pollution.
Social activist Munish Dixit says that such practices are harming not only the river’s ecosystem but also the quality of water used by people living downstream. They say that non-biodegradable materials, synthetic clothes and plastic packaging mixed with ritual offerings remain trapped in the river for long periods, affecting its aquatic life and contaminating water.
Residents of the area say that faith and religious beliefs should be respected but polluting rivers and water sources in the name of rituals cannot be justified. They add that true spirituality should encourage the protection of nature rather than the destruction of the environment.
SDM, Baijnath, Sankalp Gautam says that the matter has come to his notice and he will issued necessary directions to the local Municipal Council to take necessary steps to check the dumping of various materials into the Binwa river.
Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Public Health, Rahul Dhiman says that he had written a letter some time ago to Executive Officer of the Baijnath Municipal Council but no action was taken and dumping into the river was still going on.
Social activist Vijay Kumar have urged the local administration and the Baijnath municipal authorities to launch an awareness campaigns to educate people about the harmful impact of throwing ‘ritual’ waste into the river. They suggested the installation of signboards near the bridge and creating designated collection points for religious offerings so that waste can be disposed of scientifically.
Subhash Sharma and Neelam Sood, convener and co-convener of NGO People’s Voice, say that rivers in Himachal Pradesh are already reeling under urban waste, tourism and shrinking water level and such practices only add to the environmental crisis.
People have been appealed to adopt eco-friendly ways of expressing faith and devotion. “True worship is the one that keeps the nature clean and protects water sources,” says a local environmental volunteer.
The growing pollution in the Binwa river has once again highlighted the urgent need for public awareness and collective responsibility towards protecting natural resources in the hill state.
