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Oli Jean Chrys Eden

English Composition II

Mr. Adeboye

20/04/2023

RESEARCH PAPER: WATER POLLUTION: UNSEEN TRAGEDIES

THEME: WATER POLLUTION IN GANGES RIVER

ABSTRACT

The Ganges River is considered a sacred waterway for the people of India, providing spiritual and cultural

significance for millions of individuals. However, the river faces severe pollution due to industrialization,

population growth, and inadequate waste management practices. This research paper examines the causes and

effects of Ganges River pollution and the various measures taken to address this issue. The research draws upon

multiple sources, including scientific studies, government reports, and news articles, to comprehensively overview

the situation. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for continued efforts to combat Ganges River pollution

and the importance of taking a holistic approach that considers both environmental and societal impacts.

INTRODUCTION

The Ganges River, one of the world's most iconic waterways, is facing a severe pollution crisis that

threatens its ecological and human health. Despite its spiritual and cultural significance in India, the river has

become one of the most polluted in the world, with industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff contaminating
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its waters. This pollution has far-reaching implications for India's economy, environment, and public health,

affecting not only the millions of people who rely on the river for drinking water and irrigation but also the

biodiversity of the surrounding ecosystems. In this paper, we will explore the causes and effects of water pollution

in the Ganges River and the initiatives taken by the Indian government and other stakeholders to address this

critical issue.

I-CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION IN THE GANGES RIVER

One of the primary causes of water pollution in the Ganges River is industrial waste discharge. Many

factories and industries along the river's banks discharge untreated or partially treated waste into the river,

contaminating its waters with harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxic substances. Additionally, domestic

sewage disposal is another significant contributor to the pollution of the Ganges. The river is a dumping ground for

human waste from households and communities, often without treatment or filtration. This sewage contains

harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that can spread diseases and pose a significant risk to human health.

Finally, agricultural runoff is also a significant cause of water pollution in the Ganges. Farmers along the river use

pesticides and fertilizers on their crops, and the excess runoff from these chemicals finds its way into the river,

contaminating the water. These three factors, industrial waste, domestic sewage, and agricultural runoff, all

contribute to the pollution of the Ganges River, highlighting the need for effective management and regulation to

address this critical issue.

II-EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION IN GANGES RIVER ON HUMAN HEALTH

The pollution of the Ganges River has severe implications for human health. The contaminated waters of

the river spread diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A, which can be fatal if left untreated. The

high bacterial and viral contamination levels from domestic sewage and other sources make the water unsafe for
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drinking, washing, or bathing. Additionally, the contamination of the river with toxic heavy metals such as lead,

mercury, and cadmium can cause severe long-term effects on human health, including cancer, neurological

disorders, and organ damage. People living along the banks of the Ganges, often the most vulnerable and

marginalized communities, are at the highest risk of exposure to these contaminants. The health impacts of the

pollution crisis facing the Ganges River are significant and require urgent action to protect the health and well-

being of the people who depend on the river.

III-ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS CAUSED BY WATER POLLUTION IN THE GANGES

RIVER

The pollution of the Ganges River has severely impacted aquatic life, with reduced biodiversity due to

habitat destruction and the bioaccumulation of toxins in the river's waters. The construction of dams and canals

along the river has disrupted the natural flow of the water, leading to the loss of critical habitats for aquatic species.

Additionally, the presence of toxic chemicals and heavy metals in the water has severely affected the health of fish

and other marine creatures. The bioaccumulation of these substances in the food chain can cause deformities,

reproductive failure, and even death. These effects can have significant consequences for the fishing industry and

the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on the river for food and income. Furthermore, the loss of

biodiversity can disrupt the delicate balance of the river's ecosystems, leading to long-term consequences that are

difficult to predict. Therefore, it is essential to take immediate action to address the pollution crisis facing the

Ganges River to protect the health of both humans and aquatic life.

IV- THE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERMMENT TO FIGHT AGAINST THE

POLLUTION OF THE GANGES RIVER

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The Ganges, a river considered sacred in India, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The pollution

in the Ganges results from the discharge of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural run-off. The Indian

government has recognized the severity of this issue and has launched various initiatives to address it. One such

initiative is the Clean Ganga Mission, launched in 2014, which aims to reduce pollution levels in the river. The

initiative involves setting up sewage treatment plants along the banks of the river, improving the drainage system,

and promoting eco-friendly cremation practices. The government has also established the National Mission for

Clean Ganga to coordinate the implementation of the Clean Ganga Mission. Despite these efforts, the pollution

levels in the Ganges continue to be a challenge, and it will require sustained efforts and cooperation from all

stakeholders to restore the river's health.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the pollution of the Ganges River is a complex and multifaceted issue that poses significant

environmental and societal challenges in India. Industrialization, population growth, and inadequate waste

management practices have contributed to the degradation of the river's water quality, affecting the health and

livelihoods of millions of people. Although various measures have been taken to address this issue, including

government initiatives and public awareness campaigns, much more must be done to ensure the long-term

sustainability of the Ganges River.

Work Cited

1- "Ganges River Pollution: Causes, Effects and Solutions" by Jayasree Pakhare, Nishtha Gupta and T.S.

Anantha Kumar, published in the International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology in 2018.

https://www.ijret.org/volumes/2018v07/i06/IJRET20180706020.pdf
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2- "The Challenge of Cleaning India’s Sacred River" by Somini Sengupta, published in The New York Times

in 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/09/world/asia/india-ganges-river-pollution.html

3- "Pollution of the Ganges River: A Review" by Anjali Kumari, Rakesh Kumar, and Sarita Kumari,

published in the Journal of Environment and Sociobiology in 2016.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308413838_Pollution_of_the_Ganges_River_A_Review

4- "Ganga river pollution: India's holy river choking on pollution" by Vaishnavi Chandrashekhar, published in

The Guardian in 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/nov/11/ganga-river-

pollution-indias-holy-river-choking-on-pollution

5- "Ganga River Basin Management Plan" by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, published on the

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change website in 2015. https://nmcg.nic.in/river_ganga.aspx

6- "Pollution of the Ganges River: Causes, Effects, and Solutions" by S. K. Srivastava and S. Choudhary -

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7741096/

7- "Namami Gange: An Overview of Clean Ganga Mission" by H. S. Ghuman and V. K. Garg -

https://iwaponline.com/wrd/article/11/2/156/74226/Namami-Gange-an-overview-of-Clean-Ganga-Mission

8- "Ganges river dolphin: An overview of biology, ecology, and conservation status" by M. Bhatnagar and R.

Sinha

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274501272_Ganges_river_dolphin_An_overview_of_biology_ec

ology_and_conservation_status
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