Since ancient times, India has thrived on the South Asian subcontinent. However, compared to China, India seems less fortunate in choosing a habitat.
China boasts vast territories and diverse climates, while India endures scorching heat year-round, with temperatures soaring above 50 degrees Celsius, making the heat unbearable.
In New Delhi, an Indian resident recorded a temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius at a weather observation point, feeling as if they were in a steamer.
Across India, especially in Rajasthan and Punjab, temperatures generally exceed 45 degrees Celsius, and even mountainous areas see temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius.
The extreme heat not only causes immense suffering for the residents but also led to the unfortunate deaths of 19 officials due to the high temperatures.
Faced with such extreme weather, Indians can't help but wonder why China enjoys relatively cooler climates.
The Himalayas effectively block heat waves, making China's climate more pleasant.
In contrast, India's geographical location and climate conditions indeed seem unfair.
However, apart from geographical factors, China's achievements in environmental modification also impress Indians.
For thousands of years, China's ancestors ingeniously combined natural environments with human needs through the construction of water conservancy projects like the Zhengguo Canal and Dujiangyan, creating fertile agricultural conditions and a stable social foundation.
By building the Zhengguo Canal, the Qin state diverted water from the Jing and Luo rivers to the Guanzhong Plain, forming an extensive irrigation system that significantly boosted grain production, laying a solid material foundation for the unification of the six states.
The construction of the Zhengguo Canal is regarded as an engineering marvel.
This artificial canal not only connects the Qingyu River and the Shiyu River but also gathers water sources from the Jing and Luo rivers, forming a vast irrigation network.
As a result, the Guanzhong Plain became a huge irrigated farmland system, with an irrigation area of more than 40,000 hectares.
The grain output of the Qin state increased significantly, with granaries so full that their doors couldn't close, eventually helping the Qin state achieve the unification of the six states.
Compared to China's water conservancy projects, India faces enormous challenges in managing the Ganges River.
Since the 1980s, the Indian government has begun tackling the problem of Ganges River pollution.
In 1986, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi launched the Ganga Action Plan, investing substantial funds to build sewage treatment facilities.
However, despite the government's tremendous efforts, improvement in the Ganges River's water quality has been slow.
One major challenge in managing the Ganges River is the issue of industrial and domestic sewage discharge.
Many enterprises and factories along the banks of Indian rivers have been discharging untreated sewage and waste into the river for a long time.
Although the government has taken some measures to curb this behavior, illegal discharges persist.
Moreover, household garbage and excrement from residents along the river also severely pollute the Ganges River's water quality.
Entering the 21st century, the Indian government has intensified efforts to manage the Ganges.
In 2009, the National Ganga River Basin Authority was established to further promote environmental improvement of the Ganges.
Prime Minister Modi introduced the "Namami Gange" program, planning multiple management initiatives and pledging massive investments to ensure improvement in the Ganges' water quality within five years.
However, the water quality of the Ganges has not significantly improved, and pollution remains severe.
During high temperatures, the water quality issues of the Ganges become more pronounced.
People flock to the Ganges to escape the heat, but the water quality of the Ganges is concerning.
The Ganges has long carried various domestic and industrial wastes, resulting in turbid water, sometimes even with floating corpses.
Despite this, Indians still regard the Ganges as "holy water," believing in its miraculous healing powers.
Every summer, people along the banks of the Ganges gather by the river to cool off.
However, the pollutants in the Ganges quickly evaporate in high temperatures, emitting a strong stench.
People often have to cover their noses while soaking in the river to avoid inhaling too much of the smell.
Nevertheless, this way of cooling off has become a tradition in India, and despite the harsh conditions, people persist in this custom.
The faith of Indians in the Ganges is deeply rooted in cultural traditions. Despite the poor water quality, they believe that soaking in the Ganges can strengthen their bodies.
However, there remains a contradiction between this belief and the reality of the environment.
The road to managing the Ganges is long and arduous, requiring sustained efforts and scientific management.
The Ganges is considered a sacred river in Indian culture, holding significant religious and cultural importance.
Many believe that the water of the Ganges can purify the body and soul and cure various diseases.
Thus, despite the poor water quality, Indians still bathe and drink the river water.
During important religious festivals, thousands of devotees flock to the Ganges for holy baths, expressing their reverence and faith in the river.
While both China and India have ancient civilizations, there are significant differences in environmental governance and resource management.
China has improved the natural environment through ingenious water conservancy projects, creating fertile agricultural conditions;
India, on the other hand, still faces significant challenges in managing the Ganges.
Nonetheless, the faith and reliance of Indians on the Ganges reflect their strong desire for environmental improvement and quality of life enhancement.
Hopefully, in the future, India can achieve greater progress in environmental management, truly making the Ganges the "Mother River" that nurtures them.
The experiences and lessons from environmental management in China and India are valuable for other countries globally.
In the face of climate change and environmental pollution, only through scientific management and international cooperation can global environmental challenges be effectively addressed, ensuring sustainable development for human society.
As global climate change and environmental issues intensify, the challenges India faces in managing the Ganges and dealing with extreme weather will become increasingly severe.
However, with joint efforts from the government and the people, using scientific management methods and innovative technologies, improvements in the Ganges' water quality and mitigation of high temperatures are still achievable.
Hopefully, India can learn from the successful experiences of other countries in the future, enhance environmental protection and resource management, and achieve sustainable development.
Meanwhile, it is hoped that the global community can pay more attention to and support India's efforts in environmental governance, jointly tackling global environmental challenges, and creating a better Earth for future generations.
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