The river Ganga has significant economic, environmental and
cultural value in India. Rising in the Himalayas and flowing in to
the Bay of Bengal, the river traverses a course of more than 2,500
km through the plains of north and eastern India. The Ganga basin
which also extends into parts of Nepal, China and Bangladesh
accounts for 26 per cent of Indias landmass, 30 per cent of its
water resources and more than 40 per cent of its population. The
Ganga also serves as one of Indias holiest rivers whose cultural
and spiritual significance transcends the boundaries of the
basin.
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Introduction River basin Data River ecology Cultural and Social
Isssues Environmental profile Pollution and its affects Steps taken
till now Steps planned for future Our suggestions references
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The Ganges basin is a part of the composite Ganges-
Brahmaputra-Meghna basin draining 1,086,000 square kilometres in
China, Nepal, India and Bangladesh Its catchment lies in the states
of Uttar Pradesh (294,364 km), Madhya Pradesh (198,962 km), Bihar
(143,961 km), Rajasthan (112,490 km), West Bengal (71,485 km),
Haryana (34,341 km), Himachal Pradesh (4,317 km) and Delhi (1,484
km), the whole of Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan The basin has a
population of more than 500 million, making it the most populated
river basin in the world.
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Ganga River resources are unique in nature in promoting
cultural, ecological and economic prosperity of India. It provides
: Fertile Land for agriculture Perennial source of Fresh water
Inseparable part of Indian Culture Fisheries Rich
Bio-diversity
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The Ganga river basin is one of the most fertile areas on the
earth surface. The Ganga Basin with its fertile soil is
instrumental to the agricultural economies of India and Bangladesh.
The Ganga and its tributaries provide a perennial source of
irrigation to a large area. There is about 580,000 km of arable
land, which is almost 29.5% of the cultivable area of India.
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Already half a billion people live within the river basin, at
an average density of over 500 per sq. km, and this population is
projected to increase to over one billion people by the year 2030.
As a result, there is strong demand and competition for natural
resources, especially water for domestic use and irrigation, and
most of the basin tributaries are regulated by barrages. The annual
surface water potential of the basin has been assessed as 525 km in
India, out of which 250 km is utilizable water.
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The river Ganga is very sacred in India. The influence of Ganga
on Hindus and their cultural believes are enormous. River Ganga
occupies a unique place in the hearts of millions of Indians whose
faith is intimately connected with her. Rituals from birth to death
take place all along the flowing river and the confluence in search
for salvation. Some of the most important Hindu festivals and
religious congregation (worship) are celebrated on the banks of the
River Ganges, such as the Kumbh Mela, every twelve years at
Haridwar and at Allahabad.
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Tourism Pilgrimage Fests and Festivals
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River Ganga also gets mention in popular folklore, like the
legend of Bhagirath. The river, personified as a goddess, is
worshipped by Hindus, who believe that bathing in the river causes
the remission of sins and facilitates liberation from the cycle of
life and death. It is believed that a holy dip (punya/pavitra snan)
in the Ganga purifies ones soul, intake of few drops (theerth) of
holy water cures all diseases Immersion of ashes (deceased ones) in
the river rests the departed soul in the heaven.
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Hindus store holy water at their houses and serve a few drops
with holy basil to the dying human which helps him to attain
moksha. The stored holy water is also used for special pujas
(Sathyanarayan Vratam). Pilgrims travel long distances to immerse
the ashes of their kin in the waters of the Ganga, so that their
loved ones will pass on to heaven.
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Apart from playing a critical role in the agriculture sector,
Ganga river also has many other advantages. It provides water for
many industries which flourish on its banks. In earlier days, the
river Ganga was an important means of transportation. River basin
is very closely linked to the livelihood patterns of the
people.
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There are two major dams on the Ganges. One at Haridwar and the
other at Farakka. The hydroelectric potential of the Ganges is 13
million kilowatts, two fifths of which lies in India and the rest
in Nepal. Tehri Dam was also constructed on Bhagirathi River,
tributary of the Ganges. Its main purpose is to supply water to New
Delhi.
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Despite its importance, extreme pollution pressures pose a
great threat to the biodiversity and environmental sustainability
of the Ganga, with detrimental effects on both the quantity and
quality of its flows. Due to increasing population in the basin and
poor management of urbanization and industrial growth, river water
quality has significantly deteriorated, particularly in dry
seasons. Untreated sewage and industrial wastewater represent the
primary sources of pollution, with only one-third of the sewage
generated in the main-stem towns and cities receiving treatment
before being discharged in the river.
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Biodiversity Vegetation and Forests Groundwater Irrigation
Projects Land degradation Sensitive Environmental Habitats
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High replenishment rate Irrigation Industrial and Domestic uses
the fluoride & arcenic content in the groundwater is high
enough to cause fluorosis and skin diseases when regularly consumed
for long periods of time. Quality monitored by CGWB
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Biosphere reserves National Parks. Wildlife Sanctuaries Tiger
Reserve
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57% of the net irrigated area in india is covered. total number
of medium or major irrigation projects 644 Flood control Water
diversion and area irrigation
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Soil characteristics Meteorology and climate Rainfall Biotic
factors
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Decline in the productivity and the quality of land. 45% of the
total geographical area of the basin.
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Unable to provide adequate funds for Operations &
Maintenance. Failure of local bodies in discharging their
functions. Pollution load is large especially at kanpur. Failure in
minimizing organic pollution
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Lack of political interests Centralized schemes or policy?
Unimplemented Decisions. Lack of coordination among the member
states and centre. Affordable technology. Unavoidable scams!!!!
Development VS Environment
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Irrigation water is a cocktail of deadly chemicals. Farm-lands
are turning fallow, crop productivity has gone down. Agricultural
produce and cattle milk are contaminated with Chromium. Health
impacts of GAP due to direct exposure to toxic Irrigation water and
consumption of contaminated groundwater
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Ganga Action Plan 1) cleaning initiatives 2)Various authorities
3)Water quality 4)Conservation of biodiversity 5)River front
development 6)Research programs 7)Waste managem ent and
diversification
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Point Sources Municipal waste Industrial Pollution Non-Point
Sources Solid and medical wastes Disposal of Dead bodies and Animal
Carcasses Open defecation and Cattle Wallowing
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site specific applied research with a view to improving the
river water quality. Activities for construction and improvement of
bathing ghats to provide a clean and hygienic access to the river
were also part of the Action Plan. controlled under the existing
Environmental Laws without any public investment Training
programmes, under the scheme for engineers and operators engaged in
the design and operation & maintenance of the systems common
effluent treatment plant, sewage treatment plant