Dr. Rajesh Kumar of Sharda University is interviewed by National Geographic Channel

Dr. Rajesh Kumar of Sharda University had been requested by National Geographic Team for giving interview for feature film on the Ganga under production by National Geographic Team. The film is based on the Journey of sacred river Ganga from Gangotri Glacier to Ganga Sagar. Looking into the vast expertise of Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Dept. of Environmental Science, SBSR, and Academic Coordinator, Ph.D. programmes of Sharda University, Greater Noida, as a glaciologist working on many Himalayan Glaciers in general and Gangotri glacier in particular, he was interviewed by journalist Peter McBride and Jake Norton in RTDC of Sharda University. Peter McBride is a 15 years veteran with specialization in stories and films about rivers and fresh water for raising public awareness and restoration.Partner Jake Norton is a world renowned filmmaker with a large voice for watersheds and fresh water programs worldwide and mountaineer who summited Mt. Everest three times.

This feature film and photography book on Ganga with support from National Geographic and Microsoft will help in raising awareness and understanding about the power, beauty, and challenges of the world’s most sacred river –Ganga. For this purpose, Dr. Rajesh Kumar has been asked to share his views on several issues like future of the Ganga watershed, retreat of glaciers especially the Gangotri glacier, Ganga cleaning plan, impacts of dams in the Himalaya especially in the Ganga watershed, Impact of climate change on glaciers and new hydro plans, the greatest threats to Ganga watershed etc. He explained these issues based on the scientific research and his expertise in this area. The film will be shown on the National geographic Channel. Dr. Kumar highlighted the need to conduct intense research to understand the impact of changing climate on snow/glacier and water regime in the Himalaya that supports many rivers in India including the Ganga. The need for linking science with policy and practice was suggested to have positive impact to the hydrological system. He further stressed to develop policies that promote people-centric sustainable management practices backed by relevant research. This film will help in raising awareness among the masses about several environmental problems and our responsibility for achieving sustainability of the environmental resources. Dr. Kumar emphasised that the scientific fact sheet must be spread to stakeholder’s community through public awareness program for initiating their extra sensitivity towards the environmental issues. He also expressed satisfaction with the new governments commitment towards cleaning the river Ganga.