Photos: Yamuna’s divers seek treasure in a ribbon of sludge

A duo of divers takes to the murky waters of the Yamuna daily in search of idols left behind by devotees during festivals, jewellery and industrial metals as well as the task of retrieving dead bodies while assisting police --banking solely on years of expertise and lacking any protective gear.

Updated on: Jul 24, 2017 10:28 AM IST

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Across a large stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi from Nigambodh Ghat to Shani Mandir, two names are well known among scrap dealers and policemen. Banarsi Lal, 46, and Rajbir, 38, from Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand respectively are a duo that has been diving in the Yamuna for decades in search of precious metals, coins, idols and the occasional dead body. These divers in one of the most heavily polluted rivers in the country risk life daily in search of treasures hidden in the river’s tarry sludge. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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Banarsi Lal, from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh has been diving in the Yamuna for over 20 years. Years of contact with the river, decried for its extreme levels of pollution have left an indelible mark on his body. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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Rajbir and his mentor Banarsi Lal keep a look out for any objects of value during their multiple dives daily into the Yamuna. Their finds may range from coins and metal pieces drifting downstream or even idols immersed during various festivals that are retrieved and at times resold. They split their daily haul between themselves.

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A days effort can generate returns ranging from ₹300-800 on average. Rajbir (R), recently lost his wife but returned to diving within a few days, being the sole breadwinner between himself and two young sons. Banarsi Lal on the other hand has remained unmarried, keeping occupied instead with diving and teaching others his skill. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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Banarsi Lal and Rajbir are in start contrast to the image that one conjures of divers. Lacking any breathing apparatus they rely instead on the strength of their lungs, nor protective wetsuits to keep the effluents and sewage in the waters at bay. Years of expertise occasionally brings them in contact with the police who employ them in the search and retrieval of bodies from the Yamuna. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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The divers treat the Yamuna as a holy entity just like the Ganga, regardless of the visible pollution they come in contact with. They feel obliged to the retrieval of objects from its waters even if they are personally afflicted with cuts and sores, in a mix of obeisance and the quest for eking out a livelihood. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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The coins that the two recover from their dives are held back as their daily earnings, while other objects such as gold and silver jewellery or industrial metals are resold to scrap dealers after a quick polish. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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While the Yamuna Bazar area is the divers’ base for the moment, construction work further upstream has raised water levels adding to the risk that comes with each dive. The two are contemplating a move to the shallower waters of the Yamuna’s Okhla barrage area in search of safer prospects. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)