The Ganges, is the second largest river on the Indian subcontinent by discharge. Ganges river is named after a Hindu goddess called Ganga. Geographists to Historians and Mythologists regard Ganges as the heart of Indian culture, tradition and living. The river starts from a glacier called Gangotri Glacier, which is in the Garhwal region in Himalayas. The Ganges flows through north India, and ends at the Bay of Bengal in eastern India. Overall it flows 3,877 km making it one of the longest rivers in the world. Its watershed is 907,000 km² broad. The major rivers which flow into the Ganges are Brahmaputra River, Gomti, Kosi river, Gandak, Ghaghra river, Yamuna river and Son river.
But now it is the most polluted river on planet earth.
Polluted Ganga
There is a lot of pollution in the Ganges because everyone releases their waste into the Ganges. This causes a lot of sicknesses like cholera, hepatitis, typhoid and amoebic dysentery. The presence of coliform bacteria in the waters has increased well above normal. This is a major cause of water pollution. These diseases cause about a third of the deaths in India every year. That is why the government has started a multi-crore project called the Ganga Action Plan.
So now the question is what are the major reasons for such pollution in Ganga River.
Facts about Ganges River Pollution
Approximately 1 billion litres of raw, untreated sewage are dumped in the river on a daily basis. The amount has more than doubled in the last 20 years and experts predict another 100% increase in the following 20 years.
The rapid explosion of India's population in the last 25 years coupled with lax regulations on industry has put a huge strain on the river leading to an explosion in Ganges river pollution.
Thousands of bodies are cremated on the banks of the river yearly with many being released into the river with hopes that their souls may have a direct path to heaven.
Hundreds Unwanted or 'illegitimate' babies, cattle and other animal carcases are also dumped in the Ganges again with religious significance
The levels of Coliform bacteria is over 2800 times the level considered safe by the W.H.O (world health organisation).
Sewage pouring into the Ganges (Below)
Dead bodiesOne of the more alarming issues facing everybody remotely related to the river are the dead bodies of both humans and cattle which serenely float by almost completely unnoticed, or perhaps consciously ignored by busy bathers hoping to purify their souls.
The bodies are released into the river with a hope that the soul will be saved and be immediately received by heaven.
So what to do now?
Ganges river pollution is getting seriously bad( as you may have now noticed) and something needs to be done now.
A solution however, seems far away with gross negligence, ignorance and stupidity pouring from every sect of Indian society from Government, the people and of course big business which still continues to rape India and her people at every level.
But, all hope is not lost and there does seem to be some hope on the horizon for the serious case of the Ganges river pollution. The world bank has agreed to loan India al most $1 Billion to clean up the Ganges - Not an insignificant amount by anyone's standards.
What is more, some of the claims made b y Hindus about the rivers purifying effects do have some basis in science. The river is thought to be especially full of 'acteriophages'... little things that destroy bacteria specifically those known for causing cholera and dysentery epidemics.
The river also has a unique ability to hold and retain oxygen in record amounts. Although nobody knows why, this doe mean that things can still grow.
Having said all this though, once you have seen the river running through Varanasi you will no doubt feel as I do about this. The thick black sludge transporting almost everything but water.
