Ganges River Pollution: Understanding The Primary Causes

The Ganges River in India is a vital source of water for hundreds of millions of people and a huge range of wildlife. However, the river's water quality has severely deteriorated due to pollution from various sources. The main causes of water pollution in the Ganges include industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage, and population growth. Other factors such as dams, cremation practices, and climate change also contribute to the river's degradation. Despite efforts to clean up the river, such as the Namami Gange program, the water quality remains poor, posing significant risks to human health and the environment.

Industrial and chemical waste

The Ganges River, also known as Ganga, is the largest river in India and is considered sacred by the country. It is a lifeline to hundreds of millions of people and a huge range of wildlife. However, the river's water quality has severely deteriorated due to pollution, dams, and the removal of too much water.

One of the main contributors to the pollution of the Ganges is industrial and chemical waste. There are numerous industrial cities located on the banks of the river, such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Patna. These cities are home to various industries, including tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills, distilleries, slaughterhouses, and hospitals. These industries discharge untreated waste, including wastewater and toxic chemicals, directly into the river. For example, the tanning industry releases liquid effluents containing organic matter and dangerous chemicals such as chromium, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and nickel.

The sugar, pulp, paper, and distillery industries are responsible for 70% of the pollution, with tanneries being the most harmful due to their release of heavy metal toxins. Inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure further exacerbates the problem, with only 37% of the 72,368 million liters of sewage generated per day being treated effectively.

The release of industrial effluents, which account for about 12% of the total waste in the Ganges, is particularly concerning due to their toxic and non-biodegradable nature. Plastic waste from factories and other sources is also a significant contributor to the pollution. Additionally, a coal-based power plant on the banks of the Pandu River, a tributary of the Ganges, releases fly ash containing toxic heavy metals into the water.

The pollution from industrial and chemical waste has severe consequences for both human health and the environment. The water from the Ganges has been linked to various diseases, including dysentery, cholera, hepatitis, and severe diarrhea, which is a leading cause of death among children in India. The high levels of carcinogenic elements and metal/metalloid residues in the water pose a significant health risk to those who consume fish from the river.

Agricultural runoff

Agriculture is a major contributor to water pollution in the Ganges River. The river is the largest in India and supports over 400 million people who rely on it for their daily needs, including irrigation. The increasing withdrawal of water for farming and irrigation has affected the river's flow and health.

The Ganges River basin is one of the most densely populated regions globally, with a high demand for water for agriculture and other domestic uses. This has led to the over-extraction of water from the river, reducing its flow and diluting capacity. The construction of dams and barrages, such as the Haridwar Dam and the Farakka Barrage, has further disrupted the natural flow of the river and contributed to its pollution.

Agricultural practices, such as the use of pesticides and fertilisers, also contribute to water pollution in the Ganges. While there has been a decrease in pesticide residues due to bans and regulations, the increasing trend of toxic elements is alarming. Prolonged exposure to polluted river water and the consumption of contaminated fish can pose serious health risks, including cancer.

The Indian government has recognised the importance of cleaning up the Ganges River and has initiated projects such as the Namami Gange project, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the issue of agricultural runoff and other sources of pollution in the river.

Untreated sewage

The Ganges River is the largest river in India and is considered sacred by the country. It is the most populated river basin in the world, with over 650 million people relying on it for their daily needs. However, the river's water quality has been deteriorating due to various sources of pollution, including untreated sewage.

The problem of untreated sewage is exacerbated by the increasing urbanization and population growth in the Ganges watershed. As more people move to cities along the river, the amount of sewage generated increases, and inadequate wastewater management systems struggle to keep up with the demand. Many cities along the river, such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Patna, lack proper sewage treatment infrastructure, resulting in the discharge of untreated waste into the river. Even where effective sewage treatment plants have been provided, it is reported that more than half are either not operating at all or not operating efficiently. A review in 2022 revealed that only 37% of the 72,368 million liters per day of sewage generated is treated, highlighting the severity of the issue.

The Indian government has recognized the urgency of addressing the sewage pollution in the Ganges and has undertaken several initiatives to improve the situation. The National Ganges River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was established in 2009, and the government announced a $4 billion campaign to ensure that no untreated municipal sewage or industrial runoff enters the river. The Namami Gange project, allocated ₹2,037 crore, aims to effectively abate pollution, conserve, and rejuvenate the river. Additionally, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is working under the Ganga River Authority to address the issue.

Despite these efforts, the problem of untreated sewage in the Ganges River persists. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized the administration's failure to prevent pollution and hold erring officers accountable. The court noted that there is a daily discharge of about 20 MLD of untreated sewage into the river, and the existing infrastructure remains underutilized or defunct. The complex nature of the problem, involving multiple states and a vast population, presents a significant challenge in implementing effective solutions.

Population growth

One of the primary consequences of population growth is the increased demand for water. The Ganges River basin is the most populated in the world, home to more than 650 million people. This vast population relies on the river for various purposes, including drinking, irrigation, and general daily needs. As the population grows, so does the extraction of water from the river, which disrupts its natural flow and ecological balance. The river's ability to self-clean and maintain its ecological flow, or "e-flow," is compromised due to the excessive withdrawal of water for human use.

Additionally, population growth has led to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation along the river's banks. The Ganges flows through many cities, each with a population of over one million people. These cities generate a substantial amount of sewage and waste that often ends up in the river untreated. Inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure and ineffective operation of existing treatment plants contribute to the high levels of untreated sewage entering the river. The discharge of untreated domestic sewage carries high organic loads, including coliform bacteria, which pose a significant risk to human health.

Moreover, the growing population has resulted in the expansion of agricultural activities. Agriculture is a major water user, and the increased demand for irrigation water further strains the river's resources. The use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture also contributes to water pollution through agricultural runoff. Excessive water extraction for agriculture reduces the river's flow and diluting capacity, making it more susceptible to pollution.

The population growth has also led to the construction of dams and barrages along the river to meet the increasing water demands. These structures disrupt the natural flow of the river and can have adverse effects on groundwater and soil quality. Additionally, they can negatively impact the river's wildlife, such as the Ganges river dolphin, which is already endangered due to other human activities like fishing and pollution.

Overall, population growth has had a significant impact on the pollution of the Ganges River. The increased demand for water, urbanisation, industrialisation, agricultural practices, and the construction of dams have all contributed to the river's deteriorating water quality. Addressing these issues through sustainable water management, improved sewage treatment, and conservation efforts is crucial to restoring the health of the Ganges River.

Cremation practices

The Ganges River is a trans-boundary river in Asia that flows through India and Bangladesh. It is the holiest river in Hinduism and is worshipped as the Mother Ganga. The river is considered a tirtha or a crossing point between the living and the dead. As a result, many Hindus wish to be cremated on its banks and have their ashes immersed in the river, which is believed to grant them instant salvation.

Varanasi, also known as the Great Cremation Ground, is the holiest city on the banks of the Ganges. It is estimated that 40,000 bodies are cremated in Varanasi each year and deposited into the river. However, due to the high cost of cremation wood, many bodies are only partially burned before being placed in the river. This has contributed to the severe pollution of the Ganges, along with untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff.

The traditional practice of cremation on the banks of the Ganges has been adapted in recent years with the introduction of electric crematoria built next to the ghats in Varanasi and other holy riverside towns. These provide an alternative to the traditional wooden pyres, which require large quantities of wood and contribute to deforestation.

The cremation rituals along the Ganges are deeply rooted in Hindu beliefs, and the river is considered sacred by its devotees. However, the combination of cremation practices and other sources of pollution has led to a significant deterioration in water quality, posing risks to both human health and the environment.

Several initiatives have been undertaken to clean the river, including the Namami Gange project, which received an estimated $460 million in funding. Despite these efforts, the Ganges remains severely polluted, and it will take further concerted action to restore the health of this sacred river.

Frequently asked questions