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India is home to some of the world's most polluted rivers. The Ganges (Ganga), the largest river in India, is heavily polluted by industrial waste and sewage, with high levels of coliform bacteria rendering it unsafe for drinking, bathing, or even agricultural use. The Yamuna, a tributary of the Ganges, is also among the most polluted, with toxic foam spotted along its length. Other polluted rivers include the Cooum in Tamil Nadu, Sabarmati in Gujarat, and Bahela in Uttar Pradesh. The pollution in these rivers is caused by industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste, leading to severe ecological damage and health risks for those who depend on them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of River | Ganges (or Ganga) |
| River Basin | Ganges basin |
| River System | Ganges, Indus, and Mahanadi river systems |
| Tributaries | Yamuna |
| Length | 1,400 km (870 mi) |
| Pollution Level | Very High |
| Pollution Sources | Sewage, industrial waste, agricultural waste, cremation waste, food waste, waste from religious rituals |
| Health Risks | Water-borne diseases, exposure to heavy metals, ingestion of coliform bacteria |
| Ecological Impacts | Decline in fish and turtle populations, disruption of aquatic food webs, destruction of forest ecosystems |
| Initiatives to Address Pollution | Ganga Action Plan (GAP), Namami Gange project, construction of sewage treatment plants, interceptor sewers, and upstream dams |
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What You'll Learn
- The Ganges is classified as having 'excessive pollution'
- The Yamuna, a tributary of the Ganges, is also heavily polluted
- Religious practices, such as cremations, contribute to river pollution
- Industrial waste, including toxic chemicals, is a major issue
- Population growth and urbanisation have increased river pollution
The Ganges is classified as having 'excessive pollution'
The Ganges River, the largest river in India, is classified as having excessive pollution. Flowing through India and Bangladesh, the river provides drinking and bathing water for approximately 40% of India's population across 11 states, serving an estimated 500 million people. However, the severe level of pollution in the river poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment.
Data visualisations by Reuters illustrate the extent of pollution in the Ganges. For instance, one visualisation reveals that most water sampling stations along the river recorded levels of faecal matter that made the water unsafe for bathing. This is supported by a report from the National Green Tribunal, which found that the level of faecal coliform bacteria in the Ganges at Prayagraj during the 2025 Kumbh Mela was 1400 times the permissible limit. Another visualisation demonstrates how 6.07 billion litres of sewage wastewater are discharged into the river daily from residential and industrial drains.
The pollution in the Ganges has detrimental consequences for the aquatic ecosystem. For example, the Ganges softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) is vulnerable to heavy metal pollution, which is a significant issue in the river. Furthermore, an analysis of the river water in 2006 and 2007 found significant associations between water-borne diseases and the use of the river for various activities such as bathing, laundry, and cleaning utensils. Despite the evident pollution, the river continues to hold cultural and religious significance, with devotees flocking to its banks for annual festivals.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to address the pollution in the Ganges, including the National River Action Plan (NRAP) and the Namami Gange project. Under the NRAP, the CPCB identified 19 severely polluted stretches along 19 rivers, including the Ganges and its tributaries like the Yamuna. The Namami Gange project, announced in the 2014 budget, allocated an estimated ₹30 billion (US$460 million) towards cleaning up the river. However, these efforts have not yielded significant results, and the river remains heavily polluted.
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The Yamuna, a tributary of the Ganges, is also heavily polluted
India is home to some of the world's most polluted cities, and the country faces a significant pollution problem. The Ganges is a well-known polluted river in India, and its tributary, the Yamuna, is also heavily polluted. The Yamuna River, which is around 855 miles long, is considered sacred by Hindus and is mentioned in the Padma Purana for its purifying properties. However, despite its religious significance, the river has become severely polluted over the years.
The Yamuna is particularly polluted downstream of New Delhi, with the capital contributing about 76-80% of the river's total pollution. This is due to the area's dense population, high levels of waste, and rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. The river is plagued by the dumping of toxic chemicals and untreated sewage, with a significant presence of heavy metals such as iron and chromium detected in its waters. The water quality is further impacted by the discharge of wastewater from 15 drains between the Wazirabad and Okhla barrages, rendering the river severely polluted.
The pollution in the Yamuna has led to the decline of the Ghariyal (Indian crocodile) population and the disappearance of large turtles, which were once a common sight. The river has also become hazardous to humans, with health concerns arising from the toxic foam that forms on its surface. Despite this, many villagers downstream continue to use the water for bathing and drinking, and Hindu devotees perform rituals in the river surrounded by the dense foam during festivals such as Chhath Puja.
To address the pollution in the Yamuna River, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993 through its National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD). Additionally, the restoration of the Yamuna River is a bilateral project between the Government of India and Japan, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in tackling this environmental issue.
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Religious practices, such as cremations, contribute to river pollution
The Ganges River is considered sacred in the Hindu religion, with Varanasi being the most sacred spot along the river. Hindus believe that if they are cremated in Varanasi, they break the cycle of reincarnation. The river is personified by Hindus as the goddess Ganga, and they believe that by immersing themselves in the river, they are purified.
However, the combination of pollution and cremation rituals has led to an environment that feels far from sacred. An estimated 40,000 bodies are cremated each year in Varanasi and deposited into the Ganges. Many families cannot afford the high cost of sufficient wood for cremations, so many of the bodies placed in the river are only half-burnt. The wood required for cremations also contributes to pollution, as illegal logging fuels bribes and under-the-table payments to harvest enough wood to fuel the fires.
The Ganges has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world due to India's exploding population, rapid industrialization, and climate change. The river receives waste from various sources, including untreated sewage, industrial effluent, and cremation ashes. In addition, the construction of dams along the river has significantly reduced its flow, further contributing to the pollution problem.
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to clean up the river, such as the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in 1985 and the Namami Gange project in 2014. However, these efforts have not produced significant results, and the river remains severely polluted, posing a threat to both human health and the environment.
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Industrial waste, including toxic chemicals, is a major issue
India's most polluted rivers include the Ganga (or Ganges), Yamuna, Godavari, Gomti, and Ghaggar. The pollution in these rivers is caused by industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste, which has severe consequences for both human health and aquatic life.
The Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges, is also heavily polluted by industrial waste. Despite being one of India's holiest rivers, it suffers from severe pollution, with toxic foam spotted on its surface. The capital city of New Delhi accounts for around 80% of the river's pollution load, with industrial effluents and untreated sewage being major contributors.
The Gomti River, originating in the Himalayas and flowing through Uttar Pradesh, is another victim of industrial pollution. Key pollutants include industrial effluents, human waste, and agricultural runoff. Untreated sewage released into the river contains chemicals, oil, asphalt, sediments, and heavy metals, leading to the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceutical products in the water.
The Ghaggar River, flowing through Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan, is adversely affected by industrial waste from Himachal Pradesh. The river receives untreated industrial wastewater, as well as sewage from Punjab and Haryana, resulting in high levels of pollution.
While the Indian government has initiated efforts to address industrial water pollution, such as encouraging Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology, the implementation has been challenging due to installation costs and technical limitations.
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Population growth and urbanisation have increased river pollution
India is facing a severe water pollution crisis, with most of its rivers, lakes, and surface water bodies contaminated and unfit for human use. Population growth and urbanisation have played a significant role in exacerbating this issue.
Population Growth
India's population has been exploding, with the country being home to nearly a billion Hindus. This rapid population growth has put immense pressure on the country's water resources, especially its rivers. One of the most significant consequences of population growth is the increase in untreated sewage being discharged into rivers. Major Indian cities produce a staggering 38,354 million litres of sewage daily, yet the country's urban sewage treatment capacity is only 11,786 million litres, resulting in massive amounts of untreated sewage ending up in rivers. This untreated sewage contains high levels of fecal bacteria and pollutants, making the water unsafe for human use and harmful to aquatic life.
Furthermore, population growth has led to an increase in industrial and agricultural activities, which contribute to river pollution. Indian industries discharge billions of litres of waste into rivers daily, containing heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Agricultural runoff, including pesticides and agrochemicals, also finds its way into water bodies, causing bioaccumulation and increasing pollution levels.
Urbanisation
Urbanisation has also played a pivotal role in increasing river pollution in India. As more people migrate to urban centres, the strain on infrastructure and resources intensifies. The rapid urban development has outpaced the capacity to treat sewage, leading to the discharge of untreated domestic wastewater from cities and towns. This has resulted in severe organic and bacterial contamination of rivers, with high levels of pollutants, such as fecal bacteria, exceeding safe limits for bathing and drinking.
Additionally, urbanisation has led to the concentration of industrial activities in specific regions, with many industries located along riverbanks. These industries directly deposit their wastewater into rivers, further exacerbating the pollution levels. The wastewater contains harmful substances, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals, which have detrimental effects on both human health and aquatic ecosystems.
Most Polluted River in India
The Ganges (Ganga), the largest river in India, is widely recognised as one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff severely contaminate it. Religious practices, such as cremations and ritual bathing, also contribute to the river's pollution. Other highly polluted rivers in India include the Yamuna, Markanda, Kali, and Amlakhadi.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several highly polluted rivers in India, including the Yamuna, the Ganga (or Ganges), Cooum, Sabarmati, and Bahela. The Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganges, and both are considered sacred in Hinduism.
The Yamuna river is particularly polluted downstream of New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. Delhi accounts for around 76% to 80% of the river's pollution, despite only 2% of the river flowing through the city.
The Indian government has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993, and the National Green Tribunal Act (NGA) has recommended that a stretch of the river in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh be declared a conservation zone. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is also constructing interceptor sewers to help resuscitate the river.
The Ganges river is polluted by a variety of factors, including industrial waste, agricultural run-off, and sewage discharge from towns along its banks. The leather industry in Kanpur, in particular, uses toxic chemicals that have contaminated the river. Cremation practices and religious rituals also contribute to the pollution, as partially burnt bodies and other materials are left in the river.
