Kiera Jefferson
The Ganges River is one of the most revered waterways in the world, stretching from the Himalayan foothills to the Bay of Bengal and providing water to approximately 40% of India's population, or nearly half a billion people. However, it is also one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The main causes of pollution are untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and population growth. Despite numerous initiatives and promises from politicians to address this issue, significant success in cleaning the river has been limited, and critics argue that the river and India's environmental policy are in worse shape than ever.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population served | 400-500 million |
| River length | 1,569 miles |
| Pollution sources | untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, ritual bathing, deposition of cremated or unburned bodies, animal waste, chemical plants, textile mills, slaughterhouses, hospitals, plastic waste, coal mining |
| Waterborne illnesses | 1.5 million children per year |
| Antibiotic-resistant superbugs | Yes |
| Native species impacted | Ganges river dolphin, softshell turtle |
| Initiatives | Ganga Action Plan, Namami Gange Programme, National Mission to Clean Ganga, Clean India campaign, Ganga Prahari program |
| Funds allocated | $460 million |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth and sewage
The migration from rural areas to urban centers along the Ganges basin exacerbates pollution by increasing the volume of wastewater and waste discharge into the river. As rural populations move to cities, the influx of domestic and industrial waste often surpasses the capacity of existing sewage treatment facilities, resulting in higher levels of untreated effluents entering the river. This rapid urbanization driven by migration strains infrastructure and leads to increased pollutants, including plastics, heavy metals, and organic waste, further degrading water quality and ecological health.
The disposal of human sewage and animal waste is a significant issue, with a large proportion of the sewage in the Ganges originating from domestic water usage. Three-quarters of all the sewage generated in the northern plains remains completely untreated before being discharged into the Ganges and its tributaries. Even where effective sewage treatment plants are provided, more than half are either not operating or not operating efficiently. A review in 2022 indicated that only 37% of the 72,368 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage generated is treated.
The population in the Ganges basin is expected to increase in the future, along with the number of industries and urban settlements. This will generate a higher demand for water, and the substantial increase in demand will further deteriorate water quality. The river has already lost its ability to clean itself and maintain its ecological or environmental flow due to human diversion for agriculture and other needs.
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Industrial waste
The Ganges River is a vital water source for an estimated 500 million people in India. However, it is severely polluted, posing significant threats to human health and the environment. While the primary source of pollution is the disposal of untreated human sewage, industrial waste is also a major concern.
Industrial cities like Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Patna, as well as tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills, distilleries, slaughterhouses, and hospitals, line the banks of the Ganges. These industries discharge untreated wastewater directly into the river, contributing to its pollution. The burning of coal by power plants also produces ash, which ends up in the river via ponds and contains toxic heavy metals such as lead and copper. The concentration of copper in the Pandu River, a Ganges tributary, is a thousand times higher than in uncontaminated water even before it reaches the Ganges.
The tanning industry is a significant contributor to the river's pollution, releasing liquid effluents containing organic matter and toxic chemicals such as chromium, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, nickel, sulphide ammonium, chemical dyes, sulfuric acid, and methane. Kanpur, a highly polluted city along the Ganges, produces nine million liters of industrial waste daily, much of which is illegally dumped into the river without treatment.
The discharge of industrial waste into the Ganges is a major concern due to its toxic and non-biodegradable nature. Industrial effluents account for about 12% of the total volume of waste in the river, and the river's lack of dilution capacity further exacerbates the problem. The pollution has severe ecological impacts, including the decline and extinction of native fish species and threats to endangered species like the Ganges river dolphin and softshell turtle.
To address the issue of industrial waste in the Ganges, there have been calls for mandatory Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) for all industries that do not effectively treat their wastewater. Additionally, industrial units may be required to submit action plans to achieve zero discharge, with penalties for non-compliance, including fines and imprisonment under the Water (Prevention and Control) Act of 1974.
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Religious practices
The Ganges River is considered sacred by the Hindu population in India, who refer to it as Mother Goddess Ganga. It is a focus of religious devotion for tens of millions of people worldwide. The river is believed to have healing powers, and bathing in the Ganges is thought to wash away a person's bad karma.
The river's significance is multi-faceted, playing an enormous role in agriculture, fisheries, transportation, culture, and religion. It is a vital source of water for over 40% of India's population, providing water to nearly half a billion people.
However, the river is being polluted by the very people who revere it. Traditional religious practices, such as ritual bathing, leaving offerings, and the deposition of cremated or half-burnt bodies, contribute to the pollution. During mass religious gatherings, people use water indiscriminately for bathing and religious rites, impacting not only their health but also that of downstream communities.
In recent years, there have been efforts to reduce the impact of religious practices on river pollution. Electric crematoria have been constructed as an alternative to traditional wooden pyres, and educational programs teach riverside residents the importance of keeping the river clean.
The pollution of the Ganges has also led to a shift in religious perspectives. Some Hindus have called for serious efforts to clean the river, with Hindu holy man Chidanand Saraswati stating that India is "killing its own mother." Others, like GD Agrawal, a former environmental engineer turned religious leader, went on a hunger strike to draw attention to the issue.
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Government initiatives
The Ganges River, stretching from the Himalayan foothills to the Bay of Bengal, is revered by Hindus and provides water to nearly half a billion people. However, it is also one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The main causes of water pollution in the river are the disposal of human sewage and animal waste, increasing population density, and the dumping of industrial waste.
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to address this issue, including the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) and the ongoing Namami Gange Programme, but significant success in cleaning the river has been limited. In 2014, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was established under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management) Authorities Order 2016, with the aim of comprehensively cleaning the Ganges and its tributaries. The NMCG launched the Namami Gange Programme as its flagship initiative, allocating a budget of ₹20,000 crore for effective pollution abatement, conservation, and rejuvenation of the Ganges.
The Ganga Action Plan, launched in 1985, prioritized pollution reduction and improved water quality through an emphasis on sewage interception and treatment facilities, biodiversity conservation, and an integrated river basin management approach. The plan covered 25 Class I towns across three states, with ₹862.59 crore spent. The second phase of the plan, implemented in 2001, aimed to incorporate the Ganga conservation mission and provide socio-economic advantages to the river-dependent community through job development, improved livelihoods, and health benefits.
The National River Action Plan (NRAP) was proposed by the Government of India to extend the GAP's model at the national level. The NRAP draws on lessons learned from the GAP and seeks input from various government departments and agencies. Under the NRAP, 19 polluted stretches and 14 less polluted stretches were identified along 19 rivers, including 11 stretches along seven rivers in Madhya Pradesh.
The National Ganges River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was established by the Central Government of India in 2009 under the Environment Protection Act of 1986. The NGRBA has implemented various projects targeting the treatment of municipal sewage, industrial effluents, river surface cleaning, rural sanitation, afforestation, and biodiversity conservation.
In addition to these initiatives, the Indian government has also constructed electric crematoria as an alternative to traditional wood-burning pyres, and is monitoring Grossly Polluting Industries and enforcing environmental regulations. Internationally, the World Bank has also contributed to the efforts by launching the National Ganga River Basin Project (NGRBP) with a $1 billion initiative in 2011, followed by a second project with an additional $380 million commitment until 2038.
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Waterborne illnesses
The Ganges River is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world. It is a vital water source for an estimated 500 million people—more than any other river in the world. The river's pollution poses a significant threat to human health.
The high levels of disease-causing bacteria and toxic substances in the river have been linked to various illnesses. These include cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and a variety of skin afflictions. The risk of contracting these diseases is particularly high for those who bathe in or drink the polluted water.
In addition to the direct health risks, the pollution in the Ganges has also led to the development of waterborne superbugs, such as New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM)-1 and NDM-4, which spread rapidly and pose a significant challenge to public health.
The Indian government has made efforts to clean up the river, including launching the National Mission to Clean Ganga and promoting personal hygiene and sanitation initiatives. However, the complex nature of the problem, including the river's heavy use and the need for infrastructure improvements, has made it difficult to achieve significant success in reducing pollution levels.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ganges River is considered one of the most polluted waterways in the world. The river provides water to approximately 40% of India's population, which is more than any other river in the world. However, the river is heavily polluted by untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and remnants of funeral pyres.
The main causes of pollution in the Ganges River are the disposal of untreated human sewage, animal waste, and industrial waste. The river flows through many populated cities, and a large proportion of the sewage in the river originates from domestic water usage. Traditional religious practices, such as ritual bathing and the deposition of cremated bodies, also contribute to the pollution.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to clean the Ganges River, including the Ganga Action Plan and the Namami Gange Programme. In 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to work on cleaning the river and committed US$3 billion to the effort. Despite these efforts, significant success in cleaning the river has been limited, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions involving infrastructure, sustainable practices, and improved monitoring.
