No reduction in Ganga water observed: Govt

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) The Government has said it has so far found no proof of any reduction in the availability of water in the Ganga, which has been listed by an international NGO as one of the world's 10 rivers facing risk.

''As per the flows measured during the lean season (January one to May 31) at Farakka Barrage, after which the river enters into Bangladesh, the flows of the last five years are quite comparable with the long term flows (1949-88),'' The Ministry of Environment and Forests said.

There is no apparent reduction in the availble water in the river even at this point during the critical season, the Ministry said.

In a report titled 'World's Top 10 Rivers at Risk,' the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has listed the Ganga as one of the world's ten rivers at risk. The Report profiles the biodiversity of the river Ganga, and perceives over extraction of water for agriculture and excessive water diversions affecting major flows as major threats to the river.

The Ministry said it was not aware of the database and the methodology adopted by the NGO in its reports.

It said the flows of the Ganga were being monitored by the Central Water Commission under the Ministry of Water Resources at various places on a regular basis.

UNI