About The Cleaning the Ganges

Context:

The Ganges River, often referred to as ‘Ma Ganga’ by devout Hindus, holds significant importance in Hindu culture and is believed to have divine origins as per sacred texts. Despite its revered status, the Ganges faces a critical threat – pollution. It is not just a river; it is a lifeline, yet its waters are severely contaminated, posing a risk to the health and well-being of millions.

Relevance:

GS-1

Water Resources

GS-3

• Conservation
• Environmental Pollution & Degradation

Mains Question:

With sewage and industrial toxins contaminating its waters, the Ganga, again faces an urgent call to action. Discuss how effective have the initiatives to reduce pollution and ensure the rejuvenation of the Ganges been. Also suggest a way forward strategy in this regard. (15 Marks, 250 Words).

About the Ganges:

• The Ganga is created by the convergence of six headstreams and their five confluences. The Alaknanda River meets the Dhauliganga River at Vishnuprayag, the Nandakini River at Nandprayag, and the Pindar River to form the main stream of the Ganga.
• The Bhagirathi, considered the source stream, originates at the foot of the Gangotri Glacier, specifically at Gaumukh, with an elevation of 3892m. As it spans out into the 350km wide Ganga delta, it ultimately flows into the Bay of Bengal.
• The river is referred to as Ganga from Devapryag, and it joins the Yamuna at Allahabad as it emerges from the hills into the plain area.
• Near the Rajmahal Hills, it turns southeast, and at Farraka, it splits into Bhagirathi-Hugli in West Bengal and Padma-Meghna in Bangladesh, ceasing to be known as the Ganga after Farraka. The Brahmaputra, also known as the Jamuna in this region, joins Padma-Meghna.
• The total length of the Ganga river, measured along the Hugli, from its source to its mouth is 2,525 km.
• Significant towns along its course include Haridwar, Kanpur, Soron, Kannauj, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Ghazipur, Bhagalpur, Mirzapur, Ballia, Buxar, Saidpur, and Chunar.

Pollution of the Ganges:

Causes:

• The rapid increase in India’s population, along with swift urbanization and industrialization, has transformed the Ganges into a dumping ground for toxins, sewage, and industrial waste.
• This issue is particularly acute in areas such as Kanpur and Varanasi, where human activities directly contribute to elevated pollution levels.
• Inadequate sewage treatment facilities result in the substantial release of untreated waste into the Ganges.
• Additionally, industrial pollution exacerbates the problem, as tanneries, distilleries, and other industries introduce toxic pollutants into the river.
• The relentless growth of the population, along with improving living standards and rapid industrial and urban development, has exposed the vulnerability of our water resources, with rivers bearing the brunt of this degradation.
• Adding to this challenge are the looming threats of global climate change, the melting of glaciers affecting the Ganges’ flow, and the adverse effects of infrastructure projects in its upper reaches, all requiring a comprehensive and urgent response.
• The industrial sector also significantly contributes to Ganges pollution, accounting for approximately 20% of the overall pollution volume. However, due to the toxic and non-biodegradable nature of industrial waste, its impact is disproportionately severe.
• Tanneries in Kanpur, along with distilleries, paper mills, and sugar mills in the Kosi, Ramganga, and Kali river catchments, collectively contribute to the pollution burden, affecting water sources relied upon by an estimated 600 million people.

Impact:

• The deterioration in water quality directly impacts communities, with specific sections of the Ganges now considered unsuitable even for basic activities such as bathing.
• The repercussions are severe, rendering the water unsuitable for even basic activities like bathing, let alone consumption.
• The extent of pollution is alarming, with reports indicating significant contamination throughout the river’s course.
• Kanpur, located in Uttar Pradesh, serves as a poignant example of this pollution crisis. Being one of the most densely populated cities in the state, its residents engage in daily activities like washing clothes, bathing, and even disposing of waste directly into water bodies, exacerbating pollution levels. Following closely behind is Varanasi, another significant contributor to Ganges pollution.
• A damning report has disclosed that 37 out of the 41 sites along the river are grappling with moderate to severe pollution levels.
• Surprisingly, only the water at the Haridwar Barrage complies with drinking water standards, making it a rare example of cleanliness amid widespread contamination.
• This harsh reality underscores the immediate need for concerted efforts to safeguard and restore the pristine waters of the Ganges.
• In the Ganga basin, an astonishing 12,000 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage are generated, yet the current treatment capacity is a mere 4,000 MLD.
• This stark disparity results in approximately 3,000 MLD of untreated sewage being discharged directly into the Ganges from towns categorized as Class I and II along its banks.
• Despite endeavors, only around 1,000 MLD of treatment capacity has been established so far.
• Despite efforts to monitor and control pollution, the majority of locations along the river still fall short of meeting even basic water quality standards.

Way Forward:

• Immediate action is imperative in the current situation. The Namami Gange program, initiated by the Indian government, represents a significant stride toward rejuvenating the river.
• With billions of dollars allocated to sewage treatment facilities and sewer line construction, the program aims to tackle the root causes of pollution and restore the Ganges to its original state.
• The success of the Namami Gange program depends on effective implementation and sustained efforts to combat pollution.
• To date, the program has incurred expenditures exceeding 328 billion rupees ($3.77 billion), allocating funds for the establishment of over 170 new sewage facilities and laying approximately 5,211 kilometers of sewer lines—a distance equivalent to crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
• This initiative serves as an intriguing benchmark in the global effort to purify water bodies. If the challenge of cleansing a river considered sacred by hundreds of millions proves insurmountable, the prospects for addressing similar tasks elsewhere come into question.

Conclusion:

The Ganges is not solely India’s river; it symbolizes hope and spirituality for millions worldwide. Its purification is not merely an environmental concern but a moral imperative. As the world contends with the repercussions of pollution and climate change, the fate of the Ganges acts as a litmus test for our collective commitment to safeguarding our planet’s precious resources. If we falter in cleansing the Ganges, what hope do we hold for the well-being of our other rivers and seas?