FACTS ABOUT GANGA RIVER POLLUTION

Ganges River Pollution

The Ganges River Pollution is now at such a high level that the amount of toxins, chemicals and other dangerous bacteria found in the river are now almost 3000 times over the limit suggested by the WHO as 'safe'.



The river directly and indirectly affects the largest population of any river in the world with over more than 420 million people who rely on it for food, water, bathing and agriculture. And that is not to mention the tens of Millions of pilgrims who venture to India's most holy of rivers each year. So with such a massive influence on the local and national population, why is it that the river is so completely and utterly disgusting?
Well this is a question that is asked everyday by an awful lot of people and to help answer it we need to take a look at a few facts:

• Approximately 1 billion litres of raw, untreated sewage are dumped in the river on a daily basis. The amount has more than doubled in the last 20 years and experts predict another 100% increase in the following 20 years.
• The rapid explosion of India's population in the last 25 years coupled with lax regulations on industry has put a huge strain on the river.
• Thousands of bodies are cremated on the banks of the river yearly with many being released into the river with hopes that their souls may have a direct path to heaven.
• Hundreds Unwanted or 'illegitimate' babies, cattle and other animal carcases are also dumped in the Ganges again with religious significance
• The levels of Coliform bacteria is over 2800 times the level considered safe by the W.H.O (world health organisation).

Below: Sewage pouring into the Ganges, Varanasi 2009