Ganges River: Impact Of Water Pollution

The Ganges River, known as the Ganga in India, is revered by millions of people worldwide. However, it is also one of the most polluted rivers globally, posing a significant threat to human health and the environment. With industrial cities, tanneries, chemical plants, and other facilities dumping untreated waste and sewage into the river, the water quality has severely deteriorated over time, leading to high levels of carcinogenic elements and microbial contamination. Despite various initiatives and government efforts to clean up the river, the pollution persists, and the river's natural flow and self-purification capabilities are compromised. The key challenge lies in maintaining the water level and controlling point-source pollution while addressing the diverse needs of the massive population that relies on the Ganges for their daily lives.

Water pollution in the Ganges is caused by industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff

Water pollution in the Ganges, the largest river in India, is caused by a variety of factors, including industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff. These sources of pollution have severe impacts on both human health and the environment, as the river supplies water to approximately 40% of India's population across 11 states, serving an estimated 500 million people.

Industrial effluents, or the discharge of industrial waste, account for about 12% of the total volume of waste reaching the Ganges. The river flows through many industrial cities, such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Patna, with numerous tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills, distilleries, slaughterhouses, and hospitals along its banks. These industries dump untreated waste, including toxic heavy metals such as lead and copper, directly into the river or its tributaries. For example, a coal-based power plant on the Pandu River, a tributary of the Ganges, releases fly ash mixed with domestic wastewater into the river, contributing to the high concentration of copper in the water.

Untreated sewage is another major cause of water pollution in the Ganges. The river flows through many populated areas, with over 100 cities and towns along its course. A large proportion of the sewage in the river comes from domestic water usage by this population, and three-quarters of the sewage generated in the northern plains remains untreated before being discharged into the Ganges and its tributaries. Even where sewage treatment plants are available, many are not operating efficiently or at all.

Agricultural runoff also contributes to the pollution of the Ganges, particularly in the heavily industrialized Kanpur region. Climate change further exacerbates the problem, as indicated by studies using the water quality model QUAL2K. The analysis shows that the river is highly prone to eutrophication, and the stretch downstream of Kanpur and the Pandu River confluence does not support aquatic life due to the combined impacts of industrial pollution and agricultural runoff.

The Indian government has recognized the severity of the issue and has undertaken several initiatives to address water pollution in the Ganges. The Ganga Action Plan (GAP), launched in 1985 or 1986, aimed to improve water quality through the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage and the prevention of toxic and industrial chemical wastes from entering the river. The Namami Gange project, announced in 2014, allocated funds to focus on pollution abatement interventions, such as the interception, diversion, and treatment of wastewater through the use of bio-remediation, appropriate in-situ treatment, innovative technologies, and sewage treatment plants. Despite these efforts, the pollution of the Ganges persists, and it continues to pose a significant threat to human health and the environment.

The river's natural flow has been disrupted by dams and water diversion, hindering self-purification

The Ganges River, or Ganga, is a sacred river in India that supports the livelihoods of millions of people and a diverse range of wildlife. However, the river's natural flow has been disrupted by a combination of factors, including dams and water diversion, which has hindered its self-purification capabilities.

The Ganga is the largest river in the Indian subcontinent and is a lifeline to more than 400 million people who rely on it for their daily needs. The river originates in the Himalayas and flows over 2,500 kilometers to the Bay of Bengal, passing through numerous cities and villages. The Ganga has significant cultural and spiritual value, with various rituals and festivities that depend on its water levels and quality.

Over the years, the construction of dams, such as the Haridwar Dam built during British rule in 1854, has significantly reduced the river's flow. These dams divert a substantial amount of water for irrigation, drinking water supply, and other agricultural purposes, especially during the dry season. As a result, the river has lost its ability to effectively self-purify, as it cannot maintain its ecological or environmental flow (e-flow). This disruption in the natural flow has further exacerbated pollution levels in the river.

To address the issue, some have proposed demolishing upstream dams to increase water flow during the dry season. However, this solution is complex and expensive due to the significant pumping costs associated with diluting the pollution in the river. Additionally, there are plans to construct more dams along the Ganga and its tributaries, with the Indian government intending to build around 300 dams in the near future.

The disruption of the Ganga's natural flow has had far-reaching consequences. The river's wildlife, including the Ganges river dolphin, is under threat due to the lack of clean and free-flowing water. The river's water quality has deteriorated, with high levels of carcinogenic elements and microbial contamination posing a significant health risk to the population. The increasing trend of toxic elements in the water is particularly alarming, and prolonged exposure may lead to serious illnesses, including cancer.

High levels of toxic contaminants, including heavy metals and pesticides, pose significant health risks

The Ganges River, the largest river in India, is considered sacred by the Indian people. It provides sustenance to the environment and ecology and is a source of water for approximately 40% of India's population across 11 states. However, the river has been facing severe pollution issues, posing significant threats to human health and the environment. One of the major concerns is the presence of high levels of toxic contaminants, including heavy metals and pesticides.

Heavy metal pollution in the Ganges River is a significant issue, with industrial cities and facilities located on its banks contributing to the problem. These industries dump untreated waste into the river, including toxic heavy metals such as lead and copper. For instance, a coal-based power plant on the Pandu River, a tributary of the Ganges, releases fly ash containing these metals into the water. The concentration of copper in the Pandu River, even before it reaches the Ganges, is a thousand times higher than in uncontaminated water. This type of industrial effluent accounts for about 12% of the total waste reaching the Ganges.

The presence of heavy metals in the river has led to bioaccumulation and biomagnification, where these metals accumulate in animal and human bodies to toxic levels. Studies have found high levels of mercury in fish muscles, with a positive correlation between mercury levels and both food habits and fish length. The consumption of contaminated fish from the Ganges poses a direct health risk to individuals, and health risk assessments are crucial to understanding the potential impact on human health.

In addition to heavy metals, the Ganges River has also been affected by pesticide pollution. While there has been a decrease in pesticide residues in the water due to bans and regulations, the presence of toxic elements is still alarming. Prolonged exposure to polluted water or consumption of contaminated fish may lead to serious illnesses, including cancer. The increasing trend of trace toxic elements in the river is a concerning issue that requires urgent attention.

The pollution in the Ganges River has severe health implications for the millions of people who depend on it. 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 river's inability to maintain its ecological flow due to human diversion for agriculture and other needs exacerbates the pollution problem. Despite various initiatives and efforts to clean up the river, such as the Namami Gange project, the water quality continues to deteriorate, posing a significant threat to human health and the environment.

The Ganges is sacred and provides water to millions, making pollution a critical issue for India

The Ganges River, known as the Ganga in India, is considered sacred by many Indians and Hindus worldwide. It is also the largest river in India and provides water to approximately 40% of India's population, or around 500 million people. This makes it the most-used river in the world. However, it is also one of the most polluted rivers globally, and this pollution poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment.

The river's sacred status is linked to Hinduism, and it is worshipped as a deity by many villagers. The Ganga is also considered the 'National River' of India. British India recognised in 1914 that the uninterrupted flow of the Ganges was a fundamental right of Hindus. However, this agreement has not been upheld by the Indian government since independence. The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985 by then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, but despite various initiatives, pollution remains a critical issue.

The main sources of pollution are industrial effluents, sewage, and agricultural and municipal waste. There are numerous industrial cities on the banks of the Ganges, such as Kanpur, with tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills, distilleries, slaughterhouses, and hospitals. These facilities dump untreated waste into the river, including toxic heavy metals like lead and copper. Industrial effluents account for about 12% of the total waste in the Ganges. Untreated sewage is also a significant issue, with an estimated 37 billion litres flowing into the river daily.

Agricultural practices, such as the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, contribute to pollution. Experts link the high rate of waterborne illnesses in India, which kill around 1.5 million children annually, to pollution in the Ganges and other rivers. Studies have found high levels of carcinogenic elements and microbial contamination in the river water, with prolonged exposure causing serious illnesses, including cancer.

Population growth has also put a strain on the river, with more water being extracted for food, irrigation, and general human needs. The river has lost its ability to self-clean and maintain its ecological flow due to human diversion. During the dry season, most of the water is diverted for agricultural irrigation, leaving minimal volume flowing in the river. This adversely affects the natural self-purification process, as there is less water for diluting pollutants from domestic and industrial sources.

Efforts to clean the river have been challenging, requiring policy changes, behavioural shifts, and collaboration

Efforts to clean the Ganges River have been challenging, requiring policy changes, behavioural shifts, and collaboration.

The Ganges River, the largest river in India, is considered sacred in Hinduism and is a lifeline to millions of people. However, the river has been severely polluted, posing significant threats to both human health and the environment. Several initiatives have been undertaken over the years to address this issue, but they have often fallen short of producing significant results.

One of the key challenges in cleaning the Ganges is the high level of untreated sewage and industrial waste that continues to be discharged into the river. In 2022, the National Green Tribunal noted that nearly 50% of untreated sewage and substantial industrial effluents were still being released into the river due to a lack of functional treatment capacity. This issue is further exacerbated by the traditional practice of open defecation and cremation along the riverbanks, as well as the dumping of untreated waste from industrial cities on its banks.

To address these issues, the Indian government has launched various campaigns and initiatives, such as the Clean India Campaign (Swachh Bharat) and the Namami Gange program, allocating significant funds towards improving sanitation and waste treatment infrastructure. The government has also worked on relocating industrial plants and declaring certain stretches of the river as eco-sensitive zones. Additionally, the National Mission to Clean Ganga and the Ganga Prahari program have focused on public education and conservation efforts.

However, these efforts have faced challenges due to population growth, corruption, and mismanagement. As Dr Hussain, who supervises the Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation program, explained, the river has lost its ability to clean itself due to human diversion for agriculture and other needs. This has resulted in a continuous process of cleaning and maintenance, requiring behavioural changes from the public and policy changes from the government.

Despite the challenges, there is hope for the Ganges. As Victor Mallet stated, "the Ganga is not a dead river. It has pollution problems, but it is not dead." With continued collaboration, innovative solutions, and a dual strategy of policy change and behavioural change, there is a possibility for the Ganges to be restored to a healthier state.

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