Ganga Pollution: Impact On Aquatic Life

The Ganges River, the largest river in the Indian subcontinent, is severely polluted with human waste, industrial contaminants, and pesticides. This pollution has had detrimental effects on the aquatic habitat and ecosystems in the river. The river provides water to approximately 40% of India's population and serves an estimated 500 million people, making it the most used river in the world.

The main sources of pollution in the Ganges include sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, religious activities, and disposal of corpses and cremation. High levels of pollutants, including heavy metals and toxic elements, have been detected in the river, posing significant risks to human health and the environment.

The pollution has led to a significant loss of species biodiversity in the Ganges river network, with many important aquatic species, such as fishes, dolphins, turtles, and others, dwindling or disappearing from river stretches. The river's ecosystem, including its diverse flora and fauna, has been severely impacted, and the health of aquatic creatures, especially those in the hyporheic zone, has been affected.

Various initiatives and programs, such as the Namami Gange project, have been undertaken to clean the river and restore its ecological balance. However, despite these efforts, the Ganges remains highly polluted, and the aquatic habitat continues to be at risk.

The impact of pesticides on the aquatic ecosystem

The Ganges River is the largest river in the Indian subcontinent and is considered the most polluted river in the world. The river supplies water to approximately 40% of India's population across 11 states, serving an estimated 500 million people. The river is severely polluted with human waste, industrial contaminants, and pesticides.

The total usage of pesticides in the Ganga basin between 2012 and 2017 was 72,741 MT, which is 27% of the country's total consumption. The pesticides used include organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, and carbamates. These pesticides have serious impacts on the environment due to their persistence, toxicity to non-target organisms, long-range transmission, and bioaccumulation under favorable environmental conditions. The pesticides enter the river through surface runoff, leaching, and flash floods, as well as through volatilization from soil and crops.

The ecological risk assessment of detected pesticides in the river has shown that DDT and aldrin in the middle stretch of the river pose a high risk. High levels of risk have also been observed for HCH in the upper stretch and heptachlor in the lower stretch. The use of persistent pesticides has been banned in India, but they continue to be used under different trade names in agricultural areas. The lack of intensive studies and effective management of pesticide pollution has impacted the eco-biological conservation and management efforts of the river.

The continuous detection of high levels of pesticides in the river underscores the need for regular investigation and monitoring of the pesticide status in the aquatic ecosystem. This information is crucial for re-evaluating the policies related to the manufacture and use of pesticides. Additionally, comprehensive studies on the total pesticide use along the agricultural areas of the Ganga basin are necessary to understand the full extent of the problem and develop effective mitigation strategies.

The effect of industrial effluents and waste

The Ganga River is the largest river in the Indian subcontinent, flowing through the plains of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. It is a lifeline to over 400 million people, who depend on it for their daily needs. However, the river is severely polluted with human waste and industrial contaminants and is currently considered the most polluted river in the world. Industrial effluents and waste are a significant contributor to this pollution.

Industrial cities such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Patna, along with various industrial facilities, actively contribute to the river's pollution by dumping untreated waste. One coal-based power plant on the banks of the Pandu River, a tributary of the Ganga, releases fly ash containing toxic heavy metals such as lead and copper. The concentration of copper in the Pandu River, before it even reaches the Ganga, is a thousand times higher than in uncontaminated water.

Industrial effluents account for about 12% of the total volume of waste reaching the Ganga. While this may seem like a relatively low proportion, it is a major concern as these effluents are often toxic and non-biodegradable. Plastic and industrial waste, including wastewater from factories located along the river's banks, are also significant sources of pollution.

The leather industry in Kanpur, employing around 50,000 people in more than 400 tanneries, uses toxic chemicals such as chromium compounds. Despite the establishment of a common treatment plant in 1995, chromium levels in the river have not decreased and now exceed the recommended maximum level by more than 70 times.

The dumping of industrial waste into the river has severe ecological consequences. Significant loss of species biodiversity in the Ganga river network has been observed over the past decades, with many important aquatic species dwindling or disappearing. The river ecosystem plays a crucial role in the functional health of the river basin and the ecosystem services it provides. The health of the river's aquatic organisms, including microscopic flora and fauna, higher invertebrates, and vertebrates, is at risk due to the high levels of pollutants.

To restore the river's ecological balance, it is necessary to address the various anthropogenic factors contributing to its degradation. This includes implementing measures to reduce industrial waste and treat wastewater before it is released into the river. The Namami Gange program, for example, aims to ensure the effective abatement of pollution and the conservation and rejuvenation of the river.

The consequences of sewage pollution

The Ganges River is the largest river in the Indian subcontinent and supplies water to approximately 40% of India's population. It is also a sacred site for religious activities such as bathing, washing, and the disposal of corpses. However, the river is severely polluted with human waste and industrial contaminants, making it the most polluted river in the world. This pollution has dire consequences for the aquatic habitat and human health.

Sewage pollution is a major issue affecting the Ganges River. Three-quarters of the sewage generated in the northern plains is discharged into the river and its tributaries without any treatment. This has led to high levels of coliform bacteria and other contaminants, making the water unsafe for drinking, bathing, or agricultural use. The sewage pollution also contributes to the spread of water-borne diseases, including acute gastrointestinal diseases, cholera, hepatitis, and severe diarrhea, which remains a leading cause of death among children in India.

The impact of sewage pollution on the aquatic habitat is devastating. It disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem, leading to a significant loss of species biodiversity in the river network. Many important aquatic species, such as fishes, dolphins, ghariyals, and turtles, have dwindled or disappeared from river stretches. The high levels of pollutants in the water have fatal effects on river biota, and the altered flow patterns due to sewage pollution have fragmented the river and obliterated migration routes for some fish species.

Sewage pollution also has economic consequences for the communities relying on the river. The Ganges River contributes significantly to the national economy by supporting fisheries resources. However, the increase in organic and inorganic pollution has severely affected fish diversity and abundance, impacting the livelihoods of riparian communities.

To address the sewage pollution in the Ganges River, various initiatives and projects have been undertaken, such as the Namami Gange program, which aims to ensure the effective abatement of pollution and the conservation and rejuvenation of the river. However, these efforts have not yet yielded significant results, and the river continues to be severely polluted.

The impact of religious activities and cremation

The Ganges, the largest river in the Indian subcontinent, is severely polluted and poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment. The river supplies water to approximately 40% of India's population and serves an estimated 500 million people.

The Ganges is considered sacred in Hinduism, and traditional beliefs hold that being cremated on its banks and floating down the river will cleanse the sins of the deceased and carry them directly to salvation. As a result, an estimated 40,000 bodies are cremated annually in Varanasi alone and deposited into the river. Many of these bodies are only half-burnt because their families cannot afford the high cost of sufficient quantities of cremation wood.

The remains from cremation activities, combined with river water, directly or indirectly impact human health and harm aquatic life. A study conducted at cremation grounds on the river's banks at three sampling sites near Digha Ghat in Patna district of Bihar found that parameters such as DO, BOD, and phosphates were not recorded within permissible limits in water samples collected from the cremation grounds. Higher values of turbidity at locations near the cremation grounds may be attributed to the addition of ashes, bathing, and other anthropogenic activities.

The disposal of human remains in the river also contributes to the presence of pathogenic bacteria, with studies indicating that pathogenic bacteria do not thrive well in Ganga water. However, at various stretches, particularly in the middle plain of the Ganges, the water is not suitable for bathing or other domestic uses due to high levels of pathogenic bacteria.

In summary, the religious significance of the Ganges and the traditional practice of cremation on its banks have led to water quality issues, the presence of pathogenic bacteria, and increased strain on the river due to water diversion for irrigation. These impacts have direct consequences for human health and the environment, underscoring the need for effective measures to address them.

The effects of habitat pollution

The Ganges River is the largest river in the Indian subcontinent and is considered the most polluted river in the world. The river is severely polluted with human waste and industrial contaminants, posing significant threats to both human health and the environment. The effects of habitat pollution in the Ganges River are extensive and far-reaching.

One of the primary consequences of habitat pollution in the Ganges is the contamination of water quality. The river is heavily polluted with untreated sewage and industrial waste, including toxic chemicals and heavy metals. High levels of pollutants, such as coliform bacteria, faecal coliform, and toxic elements like arsenic, chromium, nickel, and lead, pose serious risks to human health. These contaminants can lead to various waterborne diseases, including acute gastrointestinal illnesses, cholera, hepatitis, and severe diarrhoea, which remains a leading cause of death among children in India.

The pollution in the Ganges has also severely impacted the river's aquatic life and biodiversity. Several species, including fish, dolphins, turtles, and other organisms, have dwindled or disappeared from river stretches. The high levels of pollutants and changes in habitat have disrupted the ecological balance, affecting the breeding and survival of these species.

Agricultural runoff and the use of pesticides have also contributed to the pollution in the Ganges. Pesticides, such as organochlorines, organophosphates, and carbamates, persist in the environment and accumulate in the food web. This has led to bioaccumulation of toxic residues in the ecosystem, impacting both aquatic organisms and human health.

Additionally, religious and cultural practices have played a role in the pollution of the Ganges. Traditional beliefs and rituals, such as bathing in the river to cleanse sins and cremating bodies on its banks, contribute to the river's pollution. During festival seasons, over 70 million people bathe in the Ganges, leaving behind food waste and other materials.

Despite efforts and initiatives to clean the river, such as the Namami Gange project, the pollution in the Ganges remains a pressing issue. The complex nature of the pollution, involving various sources and contaminants, makes it challenging to address effectively. However, there is a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to restore the ecological balance and ensure the long-term health of the river and the communities that depend on it.

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