The high court in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand stated in its findings that this move would help in the preservation and conservation of what are highly polluted rivers. It added that the legal status ensures that polluting the rivers would now amount to the same crime as harming a human being.Both rivers are considered sacred in India and are considered goddesses by the majority Hindu population. The court said in its ruling that Hindus had ‘deep faith’ in the two rivers and they ‘collectively connect with them’.

Polluted

It went on to say: ‘The rivers are central to the existence of half of the Indian population and their health and well-being. They have provided both physical and spiritual sustenance to all of us from time immemorial’ and that both rivers had become heavily polluted due to industrialisation and rapid urbanisation.

Legal guardians

Two senior state officials have been appointed as the ‘legal guardians’ of the rivers to represent their rights.