New Delhi, Nov 24, : .Atul Kumar Choukse, an ultra-marathon runner and author, was deeply affected by the Ganga’s deteriorating state.
He decided to do something about it and focused on running.The 3,000km long marathon ‘Run For The Ganges’, which started at the Gomukh glacier in Gangotri and was destined to reach Bay of Bengal, is not Choukse’s usual fare.
Choukse carries a 150-kg trolley that is tied to his waist and shoulders during this ‘run’.The trolley is covered with solar panels, which he uses to charge all his equipment.
It also contains a tent, medical kit and laptops.He has reached Rishikesh since November 3.
The journey will take between 90 and 100 days to Ganga Sagar in West Bengal.Ganga Sagar is the final destination of Ganges, where it meets the Bay of Bengal.
Ganga is more than a river.It is the heart of India.
The sad truth is that Ganga River is in serious crisis because of our negligence.Choukse, 34, said that she is on this journey to raise awareness about global warming and draw attention to the pollution and harmful substances like micro-plastics that are filling up the Ganga River.
This is not the first adventure of this kind that the runner has undertaken.
Choukse plans to highlight sustainability messages through his trolley, particularly the solar panels, which covers Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
“The condition of Indian rivers has been rapidly deteriorating over the past few years.Many rivers that are important to India are at risk of disappearing in the near future, and many rivers that are small and large have already disappeared.
He said that this is a serious problem we face right now.
Crowdera CEO, the world’s first 100 percent free crowdfunding and crowd-funding platform, is raising funds for this marathon.”Spreading awareness about the Ganga’s deteriorating condition becomes more important during such critical times of pandemics and when the country faces so many diseases,” he said.We must spread the word about the steps that each individual can take to preserve biodiversity and holy rivers.
Choukse was born in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.He has completed 72 kms at the 17,617 foot Khardung La pass.He also completed the 42.1-km Ladakh marathon the day after.He has also completed the desert marathons in Thar desert in India and Sahara in southern Morocco.
niv/dpb #Ganges #Delhi
