The River Ganga: Pollution, Its Impacts and Efforts to Restore a Sacred Lifeline
- Tom McAndrew
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
Introducing the River Ganga
The River Ganga, often called the Ganges, is one of the most important rivers in the world. Stretching for around 2,500 kilometres from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, it flows through northern India and Bangladesh. The river supports more than 400 million people, making it one of the most densely populated river basins on Earth. It provides water for drinking, agriculture, transport and industry. The Ganga is also deeply sacred in Hinduism, with millions of people believing its waters have spiritual cleansing powers. Cities such as Varanasi, Haridwar and Kanpur have grown along its banks, relying heavily on the river for economic and cultural activities.
Despite its importance, the River Ganga is heavily polluted. Rapid population growth, industrialisation and urban development have all placed huge pressure on the river. Over many decades, pollution has damaged water quality, harmed wildlife and threatened the health and livelihoods of people who depend on it.
Causes of Pollution in the River Ganga
One of the main causes of pollution in the River Ganga is untreated sewage. Many large cities along the river, including Varanasi and Patna, lack sufficient sewage treatment facilities. As a result, enormous quantities of human waste are discharged directly into the river each day. It is estimated that billions of litres of sewage enter the Ganga daily, significantly reducing water quality and increasing harmful bacteria levels.
Industrial pollution is another major source of contamination. Factories located along the river release chemicals, heavy metals and toxic waste into the water. The city of Kanpur, which is famous for its leather tanning industry, has been particularly responsible for pollution. Tanning uses chemicals such as chromium, which can be extremely harmful to both humans and aquatic ecosystems if released untreated into rivers.
Agricultural activities also contribute to pollution. Farmers in the Ganga basin rely heavily on fertilisers and pesticides to increase crop yields. During heavy rainfall, these chemicals are washed from fields into the river through surface runoff. This leads to water contamination and encourages the growth of algae, which reduces oxygen levels in the water.
Religious and cultural practices, while extremely important to local communities, also contribute to pollution. Millions of people bathe in the river during religious festivals, and offerings such as flowers, food and cremated remains are placed into the water. In some cases, partially cremated bodies are released into the river due to the high cost of funeral wood. These activities increase organic waste and bacterial contamination.
Effects of Pollution on People and the Environment
The pollution of the River Ganga has serious environmental consequences. High levels of sewage and chemical waste reduce the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. This makes it difficult for fish and other aquatic organisms to survive. Several species, including the endangered Ganges river dolphin, are under threat partly because of pollution and habitat destruction.
Water pollution also affects biodiversity within the river ecosystem. Toxic chemicals accumulate in fish and other wildlife, disrupting food chains and reducing species numbers. Wetlands and floodplain habitats connected to the river are also damaged when polluted water spreads during seasonal flooding.
Human health is significantly affected by pollution in the Ganga. Many communities rely on the river for drinking water, washing and bathing. Contaminated water can spread diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid. These illnesses are particularly dangerous for children and elderly people, especially in poorer communities with limited access to healthcare.
Economic activities are also impacted. Fishermen often experience reduced fish catches due to declining fish populations. Tourism, which depends heavily on the cultural and spiritual importance of the river, may also suffer if water quality continues to deteriorate. As a result, pollution in the Ganga creates both social and economic challenges.
Attempts to Manage Pollution in the River Ganga
The Indian government has introduced several major projects to reduce pollution in the River Ganga. One of the earliest was the Ganga Action Plan, launched in 1986. Its main aim was to reduce pollution by improving sewage treatment and regulating industrial discharge. The plan involved building sewage treatment plants, diverting wastewater away from the river and monitoring pollution levels.
However, the Ganga Action Plan faced significant challenges. Many treatment plants were poorly maintained or unable to cope with rapidly increasing population growth. Some industries continued to release untreated waste due to weak enforcement of environmental laws. As a result, the programme achieved only limited success.
In 2014, the Indian government launched a new and more ambitious programme called the Namami Gange Project. This initiative focuses on improving sewage treatment, restoring river habitats and increasing public awareness. Large investments have been made to construct modern sewage treatment plants in major cities along the river. Authorities have also introduced stricter rules for industries, requiring them to treat wastewater before discharge.
Efforts have also been made to promote sustainable and culturally sensitive solutions. Electric crematoriums have been introduced in some cities to reduce the need for traditional wood-based cremations, which produce partially burned remains. Community awareness campaigns encourage people to dispose of religious offerings in designated areas rather than directly into the river.
Non-governmental organisations and volunteer groups have played an important role as well. Many groups organise riverbank clean-up campaigns and educate local communities about the importance of protecting water quality. Sustainable farming methods, such as reducing pesticide use and improving irrigation efficiency, are also being promoted to reduce agricultural runoff.
Evaluating the Success of Management Strategies
Efforts to clean the River Ganga have had mixed results. The Namami Gange Project has shown some positive improvements in certain areas. New sewage treatment plants have increased the amount of wastewater being treated before entering the river. In some sections, water quality has improved, and there have been reports of wildlife returning to previously polluted areas.
Public awareness about pollution has also increased. More communities now recognise the importance of protecting the river, and volunteer activities have helped reduce visible waste along riverbanks. Government investment has provided modern infrastructure that offers long-term potential for improving water quality.
However, major challenges remain. The population living along the Ganga continues to grow, increasing demand for water and sanitation services. Many towns still lack sufficient sewage treatment capacity. Enforcement of environmental laws is sometimes inconsistent, allowing some industries to continue polluting the river.
Cultural practices are deeply rooted and cannot easily be changed. While electric crematoriums provide a sustainable alternative, many families prefer traditional funeral methods for religious reasons. This highlights the difficulty of balancing environmental protection with cultural traditions.
Climate change may also make management more difficult in the future. Changes in rainfall patterns and glacier melting in the Himalayas could affect river flow, potentially concentrating pollutants during periods of low water levels.
The future of the Ganga
The River Ganga is a vital environmental, cultural and economic resource for millions of people. However, pollution caused by sewage, industry, agriculture and cultural activities has severely damaged the river’s ecosystem and threatened human health. Government programmes such as the Ganga Action Plan and Namami Gange Project have made progress by improving sewage treatment and raising awareness, but challenges remain.
Successfully restoring the River Ganga requires long-term commitment, strong environmental enforcement and cooperation between governments, industries and local communities. Sustainable solutions that respect cultural traditions while protecting the environment are essential. The future of the Ganga depends on balancing human needs with environmental protection, ensuring that this sacred and life-supporting river continues to flow for generations to come.
Sources
BBC News – Cleaning up India’s River Ganges:
National Geographic – Ganges River Facts and Information: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/ganges-river
World Bank – Cleaning the Ganga: Water Quality and Pollution Management: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/03/23/cleaning-the-ganga
Government of India – Namami Gange Programme:
Central Pollution Control Board (India) – Water Quality of River Ganga Reports: https://cpcb.nic.in/water-quality/
United Nations Environment Programme – Freshwater Pollution and River Management: https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/water
WWF – The Ganges River Dolphin and River Conservation: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/ganges-river-dolphin
Down To Earth Magazine – Pollution in the Ganga Basin:
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Ganges River: