The Ganges River, often called “Mother Ganga,” holds profound cultural and religious significance for hundreds of millions in India. Revered by Hindus for its purifying powers, it is also an ecological lifeline, supporting diverse aquatic life like the endangered Ganges River dolphin and gharial. Despite its immense value, the river faces severe pollution, threatening both human health and the environment.
Major Sources of Pollution
Untreated domestic sewage is a major pollutant. Cities and towns along the riverbanks generate an estimated 12,000 million liters of sewage daily, with over 75% flowing untreated into the river. This introduces high organic loads and pathogens, leading to alarming levels of fecal coliform bacteria, often exceeding safe bathing limits.
Industrial discharge contributes approximately 12% to 20% of the total pollution. Tanneries in cities like Kanpur release millions of liters of toxic wastewater containing heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, and lead directly into the river. Other industries, including distilleries, textile mills, and chemical plants, also discharge untreated effluents, adding a complex mix of hazardous substances.
Agricultural runoff introduces pollutants like pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals from farmlands, especially during monsoon seasons. These chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants, contribute to nutrient loading, causing eutrophication and oxygen depletion that harms aquatic life. Such contamination also affects crops irrigated by the river, potentially leading to the bioaccumulation of toxins in food sources.
Religious and cultural practices also contribute to the river’s pollution. The immersion of idols, ritual offerings, and disposal of human and animal remains introduce organic and inorganic waste into the water. Tens of thousands of cremated bodies and ashes enter the river annually in Varanasi, further increasing bacteriological contamination.
The direct dumping of solid waste, including plastic and other non-biodegradable materials, is a pervasive issue. The Ganges system is identified as the second-largest plastic polluting catchment globally, discharging significant plastic into marine ecosystems annually. This waste, including discarded fishing gear, breaks down into microplastics, posing long-term environmental hazards and affecting ecosystems.
Infrastructure and Management Deficiencies
The Ganges’ persistent pollution stems from systemic issues in infrastructure and management. Inadequate sewage treatment capacity is a significant challenge; while 12,000 million liters are generated daily, only 4,000 million liters can be treated. This means over 75% of sewage often remains untreated, as many cities lack comprehensive systems or have overwhelmed treatment plants.
Insufficient solid waste management infrastructure also compounds the problem. Many cities and towns lack proper collection and disposal systems, leading to direct dumping of garbage, including plastics, into the river or its tributaries. This introduces pollutants and contributes to the physical blockage of waterways.
Environmental regulations designed to control pollution are often poorly enforced. Despite monitoring and legislation, industries frequently discharge effluents without adequate treatment or penalty. This lax oversight allows continuous contamination, undermining conservation initiatives and contributing to the river’s declining health.
A lack of public awareness and participation regarding pollution’s consequences is another factor. Many residents, particularly in rural areas, may not fully grasp the health risks of contaminated water or the importance of proper waste disposal. This can stem from a belief in the river’s self-cleansing properties or a lack of viable alternatives for waste management.
Consequences for Ecosystems and Human Health
The extensive pollution of the Ganges River has severe repercussions for its ecosystems and human populations. Ecological damage includes a significant reduction in dissolved oxygen levels, especially in polluted stretches. Low oxygen concentrations stress aquatic life and can lead to mass fish kills, disrupting the river’s natural balance.
Aquatic life also suffers from the direct toxicity of industrial effluents and agricultural runoff. Heavy metals and persistent pesticides accumulate in organisms, altering their cellular structures and functions. This contamination contributes to the decline and local extinction of native fish species. Endangered species like the Ganges River dolphin, softshell turtles, and gharials are particularly vulnerable, accumulating high levels of these harmful chemicals.
Polluted waters pose substantial health risks to human populations. Communities using the river for drinking, bathing, and daily activities face a high prevalence of waterborne diseases. These include diarrheal diseases, typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis. Exposure to fecal contamination can also lead to skin infections and has been linked to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Contamination extends to local food sources, further endangering human health. Vegetables grown in floodplains irrigated with polluted river water can accumulate toxic metals. Fish and other aquatic organisms consumed by local populations can harbor bioaccumulated pesticides and heavy metals, introducing these harmful substances into the human diet. This affects public health and the livelihoods of communities dependent on the river’s fisheries.