In a groundbreaking study, scientists from Banaras Hindu University and Chapman University in the US have sounded the alarm on the dangers of land subsidence jeopardizing Varanasi’s historic riverfront. The iconic ghats, integral to the city’s cultural and religious heritage, are facing a significant threat due to relentless groundwater depletion and distinctive geological conditions affecting the flow of the Ganga.
Key Findings:
- Land Subsidence Rates:
- Researchers, utilizing a combination of satellite data, groundwater measurements, and rainfall data, identified land subsidence rates ranging from 2mm to 8mm per year along Varanasi’s riverfront.
- Impact of Groundwater Depletion:
- Relentless groundwater depletion, intensified by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and intensive farming, has led to irreversible deformation of clay layers, resulting in land subsidence.
- Riverfront Erosion:
- Varanasi’s geological fault, coupled with high water velocity along the ghats, contributes to erosion. This is evident in deformations on the stairways at some ghats, posing a tangible threat to the city’s cultural and religious heritage.
- Call for Action:
- Researchers emphasize the critical need to factor in subsidence rates in future water management and groundwater use strategies for Varanasi. Urgent measures are required to safeguard the city’s historical significance and cultural heritage from the threats posed by land subsidence.
As Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, grapples with this complex challenge, a comprehensive and proactive approach is imperative to ensure the preservation of its iconic ghats and cultural landmarks.
