Greta Jimenez
The Ganga and Yamuna rivers are two of India's most important waterways, with profound cultural and spiritual significance. The Ganga, or Ganges, is India's longest river and is revered as the 'National River'. Its tributary, the Yamuna, is worshipped in Hinduism as the 'Goddess Yamuna', and is considered the daughter of the Sun and sister of Yama, the God of Death. However, despite their sacred status, both rivers face severe pollution, primarily from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River | Ganga and Yamuna |
| Tributary | Yamuna is the second-largest tributary of the Ganga |
| Origin | Yamuna originates at Yamunotri Glacier, Uttrakhand, India at a height of 6387 m |
| Catchment Area | 345,848 km2 |
| Distance Covered | 1376 km |
| States Covered | Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh |
| Merges with Ganga at | Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh |
| Water Usage | 94% for irrigation, 4% for domestic water supply, and 2% for industrial and other uses |
| Pollution Sources | Industrial discharge, untreated sewage, agricultural waste, and religious gatherings |
| Polluting Cities | Sonipat, Panipat, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mathura, Agra, Etawah, and Prayagraj |
| Polluting Industries | Oil refineries, distilleries, pulp, pharmaceutical, chemical, electroplating, weaving, and sugar |
| Pollutants | Heavy metals (Fe, Cd, As, Cr, Zn), detergents, grease, salts, potassium, nitrate, and phosphate |
| Phosphate Concentration | 0.51 mg/litre (higher than the normal range of 0.005 to 0.05 mg/litre) |
| Pollution Impact | Health risks, ecological degradation, and burden on vulnerable communities |
| Cleanup Efforts | Ganga Action Plan, Namami Gange Programme, and National River Action Plan |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial discharge, agricultural waste, and untreated sewage
The Ganga and Yamuna rivers are two of India's most polluted rivers. They are essential water sources for millions of people and play a significant role in agriculture, fisheries, transportation, culture, and religion. Despite numerous initiatives to address this issue, such as the Ganga Action Plan and the Namami Gange Programme, the complexity of the challenge remains, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions.
Industrial discharge is a significant contributor to the pollution of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Various industries dump untreated toxic waste into the rivers, including heavy metals and chemical wastes. In the case of the Ganga River, Calcutta and Kanpur are responsible for 25% of its industrial pollution. The dense cluster of tanneries in Kanpur has been identified as a particular concern, with proposals suggesting that merging these polluting tanneries into larger entities could help ameliorate water quality.
Agricultural waste is another major factor in the pollution of these rivers. Farming activities introduce chemical substances such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which increase nutrient loads and cause eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and the introduction of toxic pollutants harmful to aquatic life. Additionally, agricultural runoff containing DDT derivatives severely affects the Yamuna River, with 19,000 cubic meters of such water being dumped daily.
Untreated sewage is a critical concern for both rivers. The Ganga River receives industrial and domestic sewage from 114 cities, with 75% of its pollution attributed to untreated waste. Similarly, the Yamuna River receives 60% of untreated domestic sewage, industrial effluents, fly ash, and other chemicals, rendering its water unsafe for drinking and incapable of sustaining aquatic life.
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![The Pollution of Rivers and Its Effects Upon the Fisheries and Supply of Water to Towns and Villages 1878 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Religious practices and cremations
The Ganges River, also known as the Ganga or Ma Ganga (Mother Ganges), is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition. It is considered the holiest river in the world by millions of Hindus. Varanasi, located on the river's banks, is described as the "spiritual centre of Hinduism". It is believed that dying in this holy city will result in moksha—a release from the endless cycle of suffering and rebirth.
The Ganges holds significant religious importance, with devotees of different Hindu gods believing in various stories about the river's origins. Many Shiva devotees believe that Mother Ganges descended to earth to purify the burning coals of the ancestors of the Hindu sage Bhagiratha. This led to the belief that the river's waters have healing powers and can absolve the impurities of multiple lifetimes.
Hindus consider cremation and the casting of ashes into the river to be sacred acts that grant the deceased direct passage to heaven. Varanasi, with its cremation temples, is a primary site for this practice, with an estimated 32,000 bodies cremated each year. However, due to the high cost of cremation wood, many bodies are only partially burned, resulting in the deposition of half-burnt human flesh and ashes into the river.
Mass religious gatherings, such as the Kumbh Mela festival held every 12 years, also contribute to pollution. During this festival, millions of people gather on the riverbanks to bathe in the sacred waters, seeking moksha. While these rituals hold religious significance, the intense use of water during these gatherings can have immediate health risks for participants and downstream communities, impacting those with fewer resources to cope with environmental degradation.
The Yamuna River, the largest tributary of the Ganga, is also worshipped in Hinduism as 'Goddess Yamuna', the daughter of the Sun and sister of Yama, the 'God of Death'. Similar to the Ganges, the Yamuna is considered sacred, and people perform the last rites of the dead on its banks and bathe in its waters to rid themselves of sins. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of dead bodies were found floating in the river as villagers feared cremating them.
Both the Ganges and Yamuna rivers are revered and worshipped in Hinduism, with their pollution causing concern among devotees and environmentalists alike. While the rivers hold significant religious importance, the disposal of partially burned bodies, ashes, and other sacred offerings contributes to their degradation.
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Climate change and reduced water flow
Climate change and human activities have impacted the water flow of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, worsening the effects of pollution.
The Ganga, or Ganges, is the longest river in India. One of its main tributaries is the Yamuna, which is considered the second-largest tributary. The Yamuna originates at the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand and flows across seven states before merging with the Ganga at Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The river holds religious significance in Hinduism, where it is worshipped as the 'Goddess Yamuna', and the last rites of the dead are often performed on its banks.
The Ganga and Yamuna rivers are heavily polluted due to various factors, including agricultural activities, industrial discharge, and untreated sewage. Climate change further exacerbates the problem by contributing to reduced water flows. The consequences of this are severe, including health risks from waterborne diseases, the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in food sources, and ecological degradation.
Climate change is causing an increase in the monsoon period and dry season flows in the Ganga river system. This affects nutrient levels, with higher flows diluting nitrogen and phosphorus levels but increasing phosphorus levels during low-flow conditions. Additionally, climate change is leading to more extreme precipitation events, which can impact soil moisture and runoff generation, affecting the risk of flash floods in areas like the Ganga river basin.
The impact of climate change on water resources in India is assessed primarily through average precipitation levels, which show high variability. Climate change has resulted in a concurrent increase in evapotranspiration and a decrease in runoff in the Krishna river basin. Similar declining trends in streamflow have been observed in other river basins, such as the Mahanadi and Musi, indicating the complex challenges in managing water resources and addressing pollution.
Overall, the combination of climate change and reduced water flow is worsening the pollution in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, posing risks to human health, ecological stability, and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities dependent on these rivers.
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Pollution from urban cities
The Ganges and Yamuna rivers are two of the most polluted rivers in India. Urban cities play a significant role in polluting these rivers through various activities that directly or indirectly impact water quality. Here is how pollution from urban cities affects these rivers:
Wastewater Discharge and Sewage Treatment:
Urban cities along the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, such as Varanasi and Kolkata, contribute to river pollution through inadequate wastewater management. Rapid urbanization and migration from rural areas to these cities have increased the volume of domestic and industrial wastewater discharged into the rivers. The existing sewage treatment infrastructure often becomes overwhelmed, leading to insufficient treatment of effluents before they are released into the rivers. This results in higher levels of pollutants, including untreated human sewage, detergents, laundry chemicals, and heavy metals, entering the water bodies.
Industrial and Plastic Waste:
Industrial activities in urban areas also contribute significantly to river pollution. Industrial waste, which often contains toxic and non-biodegradable substances, is sometimes dumped directly into the rivers or their tributaries without proper treatment. This has led to severe pollution in the Yamuna River, with industrial discharge being one of the primary sources of degradation. Additionally, plastic pollution is a significant concern, especially in the Yamuna River. Despite a ban on single-use plastics, there is still rampant plastic use in cities like Agra, and these plastics eventually find their way into the river through open drains.
Population Growth and Urbanization:
The increasing population and rapid urbanization in cities along the Ganges and Yamuna basins exert tremendous pressure on the environment and infrastructure. As the population grows, the demand for resources and services increases, leading to more waste generation and higher levels of pollution. Urbanization, driven by migration, further strains the existing waste management systems, resulting in inadequate treatment of domestic and industrial effluents. This, in turn, leads to higher levels of pollutants entering the rivers.
Agricultural and Household Waste:
Urban cities also contribute indirectly to river pollution through agricultural and household activities. In the case of the Yamuna River, agricultural waste and household wastewater containing high levels of detergents, laundry chemicals, and phosphate compounds are discharged into the river. The high phosphate concentrations can lead to the formation of toxic froth, covering the river's surface and causing hazardous conditions.
Failure of Action Plans:
Despite various action plans, such as the Yamuna Action Plans (YAP) and the Delhi government's efforts, the pollution levels in these rivers continue to rise. The delay in implementing wastewater treatment infrastructure, such as the development of mega STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) in Delhi, has hindered the effectiveness of these initiatives.
The pollution from urban cities has severe consequences for the environment and human health, and addressing this issue requires comprehensive solutions that involve improved waste management, infrastructure development, sustainable practices, and effective monitoring.
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Health risks and ecological degradation
The Ganga and Yamuna rivers are revered in Hindu culture and mythology, with the former designated as India's National River. They are also vital water sources for millions of people in India, especially in cities like Delhi, Mathura, Agra, and Allahabad. However, these rivers face severe pollution, primarily due to human activities, posing significant health risks and ecological degradation.
Health Risks
The accumulation of toxic heavy metals and chemicals in the river water poses severe health risks to local populations who depend on the river for various purposes. These pollutants include iron, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, zinc, and other inorganic and organic wastes. High amounts of heavy metals in water can cause reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, and nervous system damage. The presence of harmful chemicals and detergents in the water further exacerbates these health risks.
The pollution in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers also increases the risk of waterborne diseases. During mass religious gatherings, the indiscriminate use of river water for bathing and religious rites poses immediate health risks to participants and downstream communities. The high levels of faecal coliforms found in the Yamuna River, particularly in the Nizamuddin region of Delhi, are of particular concern for waterborne disease transmission.
Ecological Degradation
The ecological degradation caused by the pollution in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers is significant. It endangers the rich diversity of species that depend on these rivers, including fish, crocodiles, and turtles. The introduction of invasive species, such as non-native Tilapia, has also negatively impacted native species, such as the Ghariyal (Indian crocodile).
Agricultural activities contribute to the pollution load in the rivers, with the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides impacting the aquatic ecosystem. Climate change further exacerbates the problem, reducing water flows and worsening the impact of pollution. The decline in water quality has led to a rapid decline and local extinction of native fish species, threatening endangered species like the Ganges river dolphin and softshell turtle.
The pollution in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers highlights the complex challenges of balancing cultural and spiritual significance, human activities, and the need for sustainable practices to protect public health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The Yamuna river is a tributary of the Ganga river, and both are considered sacred in Hinduism. The main sources of pollution in these rivers are agricultural waste, industrial effluents, and domestic wastewater.
Agricultural activities introduce various chemical substances into the rivers, including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. These chemicals can accumulate in fish and vegetables, becoming harmful even at low doses and causing severe long-term health issues such as cancer for local populations who depend on these food sources.
Industrialization has led to the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage and industrial effluents into the rivers. These effluents contain heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, chromium, iron, and zinc, which can have detrimental effects on human health, including reduced growth and development, organ damage, and nervous system damage.
