Introduction: The Ganga or the Ganges is the longest river in India. River Ganga originates from the Gangotri in the Himalayas. Then, it flows through the major areas of Northern India and undivided Bengal; it had met the Bay of Bengal. Thus, it traversed a long distance of 2525 km; and it covers 861404 sq km areas of its basin.
Hindus in India regard the river, Ganga as a goddess. They firmly believe that the holy water of this river possesses the sanctifying virtues. The civilization and the cultural life of North and Eastern India flowered and flourished in the basin of the Ganga.
Clean Ganga: Our Government is taking active interest in cleaning the water of Ganga River. A clean Ganga fund has also been set up to collect funds that would be used in various activities relating to the rejuvenation of Ganga River. Few of them are mentioned below:
- To carry out the activities of ‘Namami Ganga’ programme.
- To control Ganga water pollution.
- Waste and disposal treatment plants should be set up.
- Redevelopment of Ghats
- R&D projects for cleaning the river, etc.
What Factors have contributed to the pollution of the Ganga waters?
The erosion of the banks is a permanent feature; and this fact has been constantly making the waters muddy, full of dirt, and filthy. Large portions of its banks are protected with trees and forests; and the remaining parts are, obviously, battered by erosion.
Secondly, many towns and cities are located in the Ganga basin; and the decomposed substances, both organic and inorganic, of them find their last refuge in the waters of the Ganga.
Thirdly, the vast areas in the Ganga basin have been occupied by industrial complexes. The textile, leather, plastic, and rubber factories of these places have been exhausting their poisonous effluents to the Ganga; and the sewage disposals of the chemical plants have been playing havoc with the process.