Varanasi’s Iconic Ghats Under Threat: Scientists Flag Dangers of Land Subsidence
Varanasi's Iconic Ghats Under Threat: Scientists Flag Dangers of Land Subsidence
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University and Chapman University in the US have raised alarms about the land subsidence threatening Varanasi’s historic riverfront due to relentless groundwater depletion and unique geological conditions affecting the Ganga’s flow.
In six years between February 2017 and August 2023, the popular Manikarnika Ghat near the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat sank by more than 23 mm, says the study carried out by geologists at Banaras Hindu University
The cumulative subsistence is over 50 mm in six years at Samne ghat and Prahlad ghat whereas it is more than 33 mm in Gaay ghat and Chousatti ghat. The sinking is little less in Assi ghat, Raja Harishchandra ghat, Raja ghat and Chet Singh ghat.
Key Findings:
1. Land Subsidence Rates:
Scientists, combining satellite data with groundwater and rainfall measurements, identified land subsidence rates ranging from 2mm to 8mm per year along Varanasi’s riverfront.
2. Impact of Groundwater Depletion:
Relentless groundwater depletion, exacerbated by population growth, urbanization, and intensive farming, has caused irreversible deformation of clay layers, leading to land subsidence.
3. Riverfront Erosion:
Varanasi’s geological fault, coupled with high water velocity along the ghats, contributes to erosion. The effects are visible in deformations on the stairways at some ghats, posing a threat to the city’s cultural and religious heritage.
4. Call for Action:
Researchers emphasize the need to consider subsidence rates in future water management and groundwater use strategies for Varanasi. The city’s historical significance and cultural heritage require urgent measures to address the threats posed by land subsidence.
Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, faces a complex challenge that demands a holistic approach to ensure the preservation of its iconic ghats and cultural landmarks.
