Ganges River Pollution: Understanding Its Devastating Impact

The Ganges River is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Flowing for over 2,500 kilometres, it is a vital source of water for over 40% of India's population. However, the river is filled with untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and remnants of funeral pyres and animal carcasses.

The main causes of water pollution in the Ganges River are the disposal of human sewage and animal waste, increasing population density, and the discharge of industrial waste. The river flows through numerous cities, towns, and villages, with 75% of the pollution coming from municipal sewage. Additionally, the cremation and immersion of remains in the river, as well as offerings of food and flowers, contribute to the pollution.

The pollution in the Ganges has severe consequences for both human health and the environment. The river's waters are contaminated with high levels of disease-causing bacteria and toxic substances, posing significant risks to the millions of people who depend on it.

Despite efforts to clean the river, including government initiatives and local projects, the Ganges remains heavily polluted. The challenges posed by population growth, inadequate sewage treatment, and industrial activities continue to threaten the health and ecological integrity of this sacred river.

Human waste and industrial contaminants

The Ganges River is severely polluted with human waste and industrial contaminants. It is currently considered the most polluted river in the world, with stretches of over 600 km classified as ecologically dead zones.

Human Waste

Three-quarters of the sewage generated in the northern plains is discharged into the Ganges and its tributaries without any treatment. Even where sewage treatment plants are available, 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 of sewage generated daily is treated.

The disposal of human sewage and animal waste is one of the main causes of water pollution in the Ganges. Traditional beliefs hold that being cremated on the river's banks and floating downstream will cleanse the sins of the deceased. In Varanasi, alone, an estimated 40,000 bodies are cremated each year and deposited into the river, with many families unable to afford sufficient cremation wood, resulting in partially burnt bodies being placed in the river.

Industrial Contaminants

The Ganges flows through numerous industrial cities, such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Patna, with tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills, distilleries, slaughterhouses, and hospitals. These cities actively contribute to the river's pollution by dumping untreated waste.

One coal-based power plant on the Pandu River, a tributary of the Ganges, produces 210,000 tons of fly ash annually. This ash is dumped into ponds, mixed with domestic wastewater, and released into the Pandu River. The fly ash contains toxic heavy metals like lead and copper, with copper concentrations in the Pandu River a thousand times higher than in uncontaminated water.

Industrial effluents, though accounting for only 12% of the total waste, are a major concern due to their toxic and non-biodegradable nature. Plastic and industrial waste, including wastewater from factories along the river, are also significant sources of pollution.

Initiatives and Challenges

Several initiatives have been undertaken to clean the Ganges, such as the Namami Gange project, but they have not yielded significant results. Proposed solutions include demolishing upstream dams, constructing new dams or reservoirs, and investing in infrastructure to treat sewage and industrial waste.

However, some suggested remedies, like coastal reservoirs, would be expensive and require significant pumping costs to dilute the pollution. The increasing population density and the discharge of industrial waste further exacerbate the problem.

Despite the challenges, there is ongoing hope and effort for the Ganges' rejuvenation, with various projects and educational programs working towards reducing pollution and promoting behavioral change among the public.

Sewage and waste treatment

The Ganges River is considered the most polluted river in the world. Three-quarters of the sewage generated in the northern plains is discharged into the river and its tributaries without any treatment. This, coupled with industrial waste, has led to stretches of over 600 km being classified as ecologically dead zones.

The Indian government has undertaken several initiatives to clean the river, including the Namami Gange project, which was allocated a budget of ₹20,000 crore for five years. The programme focuses on the interception, diversion, and treatment of wastewater through the use of innovative technologies, sewage treatment plants, and effluent treatment plants. However, these efforts have had limited success.

The main challenges in sewage treatment are the high costs of building and maintaining sewage treatment plants (STPs) and the lack of functional drainage systems in highly populated cities like Kanpur, Allahabad, and Varanasi. The capital cost of constructing an STP is estimated to range from Rs 1-1.25 crore/MLD, and the cost of maintaining the sewerage network is even higher.

To address these challenges, the following strategies have been proposed:

• Complete separation of river water from sewer water
• Reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial needs
• Separation and reuse of grey water and black water, where possible
• Tackling sewage treatment capacity by assessing and addressing each drain individually
• Implementing zero-discharge technologies at the household, village, and colony levels
• Rigorous monitoring of wastewater quality and strict penalties for polluters
• Improving development practices by putting the river line ecosystem at the centre of urban planning

Despite the challenges, there is hope for improving the sewage and waste treatment situation in the Ganges River. The success of the Namami Gange Programme and the allocation of additional funds for Namami Gange Mission-II demonstrate the Indian government's commitment to addressing this issue. With continued efforts, behavioural changes, and the implementation of innovative solutions, it may be possible to restore the health of the Ganges River and protect the health and well-being of the millions of people who depend on it.

Cremation and funeral practices

The Ganges River, often referred to as the "Ganga," is considered sacred in Hinduism and plays a significant role in the spiritual, cultural, and emotional life of millions of people in India. The river is believed to be the physical embodiment of the goddess Ganga, a source of life and salvation. As such, the Ganges is a popular site for cremation and funeral rituals, with many families choosing this sacred river for the final rites of their loved ones. Here are some key aspects of cremation and funeral practices associated with the Ganges River:

Spiritual Cleansing and Liberation

Bathing in the Ganges is believed to purify one's soul from sins and facilitate spiritual growth. This belief extends to the cremation process, where immersing the ashes in the river's waters is thought to cleanse the soul and pave the way for a peaceful afterlife. The river is also considered a pathway to "moksha" or liberation, and the ashes of the deceased are often immersed in its waters to symbolize the soul's journey towards eternal salvation.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Ganges is integral to various Hindu rituals, ceremonies, and festivals. Performing last rites and cremating the deceased on its banks is believed to allow the soul to break free from the cycle of reincarnation and attain moksha. This cultural and religious significance has made the Ganges a focal point for body cremation practices for centuries, connecting families to their ancestors and their traditions.

Symbolism of Flowing Waters

The flowing waters of the Ganges symbolize the continuity of life and the transient nature of existence. Immersing the ashes in the river is seen as releasing the departed soul into the eternal flow of the cosmos, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and death.

Logistical and Emotional Support

Families undertaking cremation along the banks of the Ganges require intricate logistical arrangements. Organizations like Anthyesti Funeral Services provide comprehensive support, handling the transportation of the deceased, obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating the cremation ceremony to ensure a seamless and respectful process. They also offer emotional guidance, providing a supportive presence to help families navigate the complex emotions associated with bidding farewell along the sacred waters.

Environmental Concerns

While the Ganges River holds deep spiritual and cultural significance, it is important to note that the river faces severe pollution. Untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff all contribute to the river's pollution, and the traditional practice of cremation on its banks has also had an impact. Efforts are being made to clean the river and address these environmental concerns while respecting the religious and cultural importance of the Ganges.

Climate change

The Ganges River is one of the most critical freshwater systems in South Asia, running from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal and providing water to nearly half a billion people. As such, it is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Flooding and Drought

The Ganges is dependent on the monsoon season and ice melt from the Himalayas for its flow, making it sensitive to increased temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns. The monsoon season, which usually occurs from June to September, provides the region with 70% of its total rainfall for the year. However, warming oceans and hotter temperatures on land have resulted in monsoon rains arriving later and with greater intensity. This has led to more severe flooding, with 1.2 million people displaced from their homes in 2019.

The threat of longer and more frequent dry spells preceding these extreme flooding events is also a concern. The Gangotri Glacier, which provides as much as 70% of the Ganges' volume, has been shrinking at a rate of 22 meters per year and is expected to accelerate due to climate change. This rapid ice melt increases the risk of flooding and reduces the amount of water available to the river and its tributaries, threatening India's agricultural sector, a third of which is based in the Ganges River Basin.

Rising Sea Levels

The Ganges River Delta, spanning Bangladesh and India's West Bengal, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with about 120 million people living under the threat of repeated catastrophic floods. The Bay of Bengal, where the Ganges empties into, is already close to sea level, and water levels are predicted to rise by up to 1.4 meters by the end of the century, threatening approximately 200 million people.

The effects of sea level rise will be exacerbated by subsidence and sinking of the delta plains, often caused by human activity such as the construction of dams that alter the river's natural flow. More than 1,000 dams have been built on the Ganges and its tributaries, and the National River Linking Project, which aims to connect 44 rivers in the basin, will require the construction of 43 more. As less sediment is deposited in the river's delta due to these dams, the plains will sink further, forcing communities within the delta to adapt or risk displacement.

Increased Temperatures

The changing climate may also bring more extended periods of higher temperatures, which can have a range of impacts on the river and its surrounding areas. Warmer temperatures can affect the health of the river's wildlife, including the already endangered Ganges river dolphin, as well as the people who depend on the river for their livelihoods.

Population growth

The growing population's demands for water for agriculture, food, and general needs have resulted in excessive water extraction from the river. This has disrupted the natural flow of the river, impairing its ability to self-clean and maintain its ecological balance. According to Dr. Syed Hussain, who supervises the Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation program, the key issue is population growth, which leads to water extraction for various purposes, hindering the river's ability to self-clean and maintain its ecological flow.

The combination of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and population density contributes to the severe pollution of the Ganges River. Victor Mallet, a well-known Ganga researcher, notes that during the dry season, dams divert up to 90% of the river's water for agricultural purposes, catering to the needs of the growing population. This diversion further affects the river's ability to cleanse itself, as it cannot dilute the pollutants effectively.

The population growth and increased water extraction have severe ecological consequences. The Ganges is home to critically endangered species such as dolphins, otters, crocodiles, and freshwater turtles, whose habitats are threatened by the declining water levels and pollution.

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