Meghan Hodges
The Ganga River, known as the Ganges under British rule, is one of the most revered waterways in the world, stretching from the Himalayan foothills to the Bay of Bengal and providing water to nearly half a billion people. However, it is also one of the most polluted rivers, with sewage, industrial effluent, and agricultural runoff being major sources of pollution. Despite significant efforts and investments by the Indian government to clean the river, it continues to face challenges due to population growth, behavioural practices, and the diversion of water for various purposes. While there have been some improvements in water quality, the river still endures high levels of toxic elements and pathogenic bacteria, posing health risks to the inhabitants of the Ganga basin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution sources | Sewage, industrial effluent, agricultural run-off, religious activities, disposal of corpses, cremation |
| Pathogenic bacteria | High load of bacteria that can cause acute gastrointestinal disease, cholera, etc. |
| Pesticides and toxic elements | Increasing trend of toxic elements like Cr, Cd, Pb, As, Hg |
| Fish diversity | Home to more than 140 fish species |
| Water volume | Decreasing water volume |
| Organic and inorganic pollution | Increase in both types of pollution |
| Bioremediation | Used to remove inorganic or toxic compounds from the water |
| Sewage treatment plants | 815 new STPs built or proposed for the Ganga between 2015 and 2021 |
| Government initiatives | Namami Gange, National Mission to Clean Ganga, Swachh Bharat, Ganga Prahari |
| Population growth | Water is extracted for various purposes, impacting the river's ability to maintain ecological flow |
| Cremation | Electric crematoria introduced as an alternative to traditional wood-burning pyres |
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What You'll Learn
- The Indian government has implemented programmes to clean the Ganga
- Sewage treatment plants have been built to remove inorganic compounds
- The river's natural flow must be restored, requiring sacrifice from all users
- The river's antibacterial properties have been recognised since 1896
- The Ganga is sacred, and its uninterrupted flow is a fundamental right of Hindus
The Indian government has implemented programmes to clean the Ganga
The Indian government has been trying to clean the Ganga since the launch of the Ganga Action Plan in 1985. Since then, several projects have been launched to clean the river, including the National Ganga River Basin Project in 2008 and the Namami Gange Programme in 2014. The latter is a scientific programme that uses cutting-edge technology to clean the river. It is part of the Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP), prepared by a consortium of seven Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) universities, led by IIT Kanpur. The programme aims to make the water of the Ganga suitable for bathing, if not for drinking, by employing bioremediation, appropriate in-situ treatment, innovative technologies, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and effluent treatment plants (ETPs).
Between 2015 and 2021, 815 new STPs were built or proposed for the Ganga alone, more than twice the number in operation in 2015. However, the efficacy of these STPs has been questioned, with critics arguing that they are not equipped to handle the overwhelming volume of sewage and that they contribute to algal growth and water discolouration.
The Indian government has also implemented the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which has a two-tier management structure consisting of a Governing Council and an Executive Committee. The NMCG established the Ganga Knowledge Centre (GKC) to improve the implementation of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programme. The GKC's objectives include creating and managing knowledge resources, fostering research innovation, and facilitating dialogue with stakeholders.
In addition to these initiatives, the government has also changed its policies, adopting a technology-first approach to cleaning the river. Between 1986 and 2014, around INR 200 billion (USD 2.14 billion) was spent on cleaning the Ganga, and since 2014, another INR 250 billion (USD 3 billion) has been allocated, with more than INR 130 billion (USD 1.57 billion) spent by October 2022. The government claims that its project has succeeded where previous efforts have failed.
The Clean Ganga program, launched in 2015, is the largest river cleanup program in Indian history. It includes cleaning up polluted areas and setting up wastewater treatment plants, both new and refurbished. The government has also sought private sector support for the Clean Ganga initiative, attracting almost $500 million in private investment for the construction and rehabilitation of treatment plants.
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Sewage treatment plants have been built to remove inorganic compounds
The Ganga River is one of the most sacred rivers in India, and it serves as a lifeline to more than 400 million people who rely on it for their daily needs. However, the river has been severely affected by pollution from various sources, including municipal sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. To address this issue, the Indian government has implemented several initiatives, including the construction of sewage treatment plants (STPs) to remove inorganic compounds and improve water quality.
The Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP), which includes the Namami Gange Programme, aims to utilize cutting-edge technology to clean the river. Between 2015 and 2021, 815 new STPs were built or proposed specifically for the Ganga. This number is twice the number of STPs in operation in 2015. The STPs in India employ bioremediation to eliminate inorganic and toxic compounds from the water.
The process of sewage treatment involves several stages, typically including primary and secondary treatment, with advanced treatment sometimes incorporating a tertiary treatment stage. Primary treatment involves the removal of settleable solids, while secondary treatment utilizes biological processes and inorganic oxidizing agents to further treat the sewage. Advanced treatment methods may include nutrient removal, which requires more energy than primary or secondary treatment alone.
The success of the STPs in removing inorganic compounds from the Ganga is evident in the improvement of water quality. In 2023, the Ministry of Jal Shakti reported a marked improvement in the state of the river between 2018 and 2021, with none of the tested stretches of the river falling under the critically polluted categories. Additionally, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh claimed that the Ganga had become so clean that foreign diplomats were bathing in it, and dolphins had returned to the river.
However, challenges remain, as the volume of sewage routed to the STPs can be overwhelming, limiting the treatment time for the water. Additionally, certain pollutants, such as faecal coliform bacteria and heavy metals, may not be adequately addressed by the STPs. Nevertheless, the Indian government's efforts, combined with the work of organizations like the Ganga Mahasabha and the Sankat Mochan Foundation, demonstrate a commitment to improving the water quality of the sacred Ganga River.
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The river's natural flow must be restored, requiring sacrifice from all users
The Ganga River is one of the most sacred rivers in India, and it is the lifeline of more than 400 million people who depend on it for their daily needs. However, the river has been facing severe pollution issues, mainly due to sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. Despite efforts to clean the river, it continues to be contaminated with toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
To address this issue, it is crucial to restore the river's natural flow, which will require sacrifices from all users. This includes removing artificial barriers, such as dams and levees, and allowing the river to meander naturally. By doing so, we can prevent flooding, create healthy habitats for wildlife, and improve water quality.
One successful example of river restoration is the Swindale Beck project in the UK. By adding "wiggles" back into the river and restoring its natural course, fish and other wildlife have returned. This project has also helped to prevent flooding by slowing down the flow of water and creating deeper pools for fish.
Restoring the river's natural flow will require a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of all stakeholders. Farmers, for example, can play a crucial role by improving the efficiency of irrigated crops and reducing water usage. Similarly, industrial plants can work towards treating their wastewater and disposing of chemicals and heavy metals properly.
The sacrifices made by all users will be worth it, as a healthy and thriving Ganga River will benefit everyone in the long run. The river will once again become a source of life and prosperity, providing clean water, supporting agriculture and industry, and sustaining the diverse wildlife that depends on it. By working together and prioritizing the health of the river, we can ensure that the Ganga flows uninterrupted and continues to be a lifeline for millions of people.
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The river's antibacterial properties have been recognised since 1896
The Ganga River, also known as the Ganges, is one of the most sacred rivers in India and is considered the lifeline of more than 400 million people who rely on it for their daily needs. However, the river has been facing severe pollution issues, with municipal sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff being the major culprits. Despite this, the river's antibacterial properties have been recognised since as early as 1896.
In 1896, a British bacteriologist named Ernest Hankin observed the anti-bacterial properties of the Ganga River. He noticed that locals filling clay pots with water from the river seemed to be protected from a cholera outbreak that was affecting the area. Hankin conducted experiments and found that the river water had the ability to kill the cholera pathogen within hours, leading him to hypothesise the presence of an unseen biological agent.
Hankin's discovery challenged conventional wisdom, and even as evidence mounted, the idea of the Ganga's self-purifying properties was often dismissed as anecdotal or attributed to the river's mythological significance. Nevertheless, the river's antibacterial qualities have been supported by scientific studies over the years. For example, a 2021 study by the Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) found that the Ganga, particularly in its upper Himalayan stretches, contains a significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties compared to other Indian rivers.
The unique geochemical properties of the Ganga River and its tributaries are believed to play a crucial role in its antibacterial nature. Nobel laureate Harold Urey proposed a chemical reaction where CO2 reacts with calcium-bearing silicate rocks, forming limestone and releasing silicates. This process, known as deep carbon burial, helps regulate atmospheric CO2 and global warming. The slopes of the Himalayas provide an ideal setting for this chemical weathering, contributing to the Ganga's distinctive characteristics.
However, it is important to note that the Ganga River's ability to purify itself is not limitless. The increasing pollution in the river, including inorganic pollutants, toxic elements, and pesticides, is hampering its self-cleaning capabilities. While efforts have been made to clean the river, such as the Namami Gange Programme, the river is still facing significant environmental and health threats.
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The Ganga is sacred, and its uninterrupted flow is a fundamental right of Hindus
The Ganga, or Ganges, is a sacred river to Hindus. It is worshipped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism and is invoked whenever water is used in Hindu ritual. The river is considered to be a tirtha, or crossing point, for the living and the dead. As such, the Ganga is a popular place for cremation, with many temples built on its banks. Hindus believe that casting the ashes of their dead into the river gives the deceased direct passage to heaven.
The Ganga is also considered sacred due to its role in nurturing the land, nourishing people, and fueling biodiversity. The river basin is one of the most densely populated regions on earth, supporting hundreds of millions of people who depend on it for their daily needs. The river is home to approximately 140 species of fish, 90 species of amphibians, as well as reptiles and mammals, including endangered species such as the gharial and South Asian river dolphin.
The Ganga's uninterrupted flow is of utmost importance to Hindus, so much so that it was recognized as a fundamental right in an agreement with British India in 1914. This agreement, known as the Agreement of 1916, came into effect on December 19, 1916, and is commemorated as "Aviral Ganga Samjhauta Divas" (Uninterrupted Ganga Flow Agreement Day) in Indian history. However, the sanctity of this agreement has not been upheld by the Indian governments after independence, with river water being diverted for irrigation, among other uses, leading to increased pollution and strain on the river.
Despite the Ganga's sacred status, it is highly polluted and its water quality has deteriorated over the years. Sources of pollution include untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, remnants of partially burned or unburned bodies from funeral pyres, and animal carcasses. High levels of disease-causing bacteria and toxic substances have been found in the river, making the water unsuitable for human use in certain stretches.
Efforts have been made by the Indian government and various organizations to clean up the river and restore its purity and uninterrupted flow. The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985, and since then, significant funds have been allocated to improve the river's condition. The Namami Gange Programme, for example, aims to make the water of the Ganga suitable for bathing, if not drinking, through the use of sewage treatment plants and innovative technologies. While some improvements have been noted, pollution from industrial waste and household waste continues to be an issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Ganga is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.
The main cause of pollution in the Ganga is untreated sewage. Approximately 37 billion litres of untreated sewage flow into the river daily, along with industrial waste and heavy metals.
The pollution in the Ganga has led to a high incidence of waterborne and enteric diseases, including acute gastrointestinal disease and cholera. Prolonged exposure to the polluted water and consumption of fish from the river may also cause serious illnesses, including cancer.
The Indian government has implemented various programmes to clean the Ganga, including the National Mission to Clean Ganga, the Namami Gange Programme, and the Ganga River Basin Management Plan. These programmes have involved building new sewage treatment plants, changing policies, and promoting public education and behavioural change.
While there have been improvements in the water quality of the Ganga, particularly in recent years, it is still heavily polluted. The river continues to be a health threat to the inhabitants of the Ganga basin.
