One of the most critical water sources for a large part of the Indian population, the Ganges River supports 47% of irrigation and 37% of the Indian population (Wohl, 2012). Its cultural and biological significance cannot be stressed enough; however, pollution threatens to choke the river and put the livelihoods of millions at risk. In this action plan, the possible ways to minimize/eliminate the pollution of the river are detailed and a cost-benefit analysis outlined.Of specific concern for the action plan will be the solid wastes are thrown directly into the river, the silt deposits from eroded agricultural lands nearby, and the ritualistic practices on the river as well as the domestic and industrial effluent dumped into the river.
Pollution of the River
With the increase in population density in the cities on the banks of the river, pollution of the Ganges has become more and more of a menace. For one, as Bhutiani, Khanna, Kulkarni & Ruhela (2016 ) note, human activities including mass bathing, use by animals and the deposition of raw sewerage into the river have led to enormous pollution. Silt from the irrigated lands and the associated agricultural activities thereon in the areas surrounding the Ganges also contribute to the pollution of the river, which is today the fifth most polluted in the world (Wohl, 2012). Similarly, religious practices and rituals including cremation of the dead near the river (as is the case in Varanasi). Industrial waste from the factories located in the cities and towns on the banks of the river also discharge toxic effluence which is, as Wohl (2012) observes, mostly non-biodegradable into the Ganges and contribute to its pollution.
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Action Plan
It would be important to address each of the four primary sources of pollution to reduce the pollution of the river. For one, the reduction of solid wastes in the river would be vital to reducing the pollution, through the construction of alternative waste disposal sites and educating the masses on the benefits of proper solid waste disposal methods. Proper disposal of industrial waste, like Wang, Mukherjee, Wu& Wu (2016) advice, would also be important in reducing the pollution of the river. In this manner, appropriate actions would involve the legislation against dumping of untreated and non-biodegradable waste into the river by industries. Such action would help limit the pollution contributed to by the factories along the Ganges. Further, the adoption of better farming methods to limit erosion of the farmlands along the river (Sarkar, 2017) would help limit its pollution as would the dredging of the river to reduce the effect of silt or eroded deposits into the Ganges. Additionally, the reduction of harmful religious rituals and practices such as the mass baths should be discouraged to reduce the pollution of the river.
Costs & Benefits of the Action Plan
Each aspect of the action plan has both positive and negative effects. For one, the discouragement of the religious rituals and practices would reduce pollution along the river mouth. On the other hand, being that such rituals carry great significance to the population, their discouragement would have negative impacts on the psyche of the majority Hindus who take part in them. Secondly, as Sarkar (2017) supposes, reduction of the solid waste disposal would minimize the pollution of the river and even reduce the instances of resultant communicable diseases. On the other hand, such would have huge financial implications for the responsible bodies (mainly the government). Concerning industrial waste, proper disposal would have the benefit of limiting pollution, reducing the possible harm to humans and animals downstream and preservation of the environment, Wang, Mukherjee, Wu& Wu (2016) avow. The action would, however, cost the industries more hence reducing their profits and the positive effects that such advantagesconfer to the economy through the multiplier effect.Finally, the adoption of better farming methods would benefit the farmers through better yields due to the preservation of the soil nutrients; it would also reduce the pollution of the river. On the flip side, such would lead to higher costs of production for the farmers and possibly lead to higher costs of their products.
Conclusion
Through concerted efforts among all of India's population, the pollution of the Ganges River could be reduced. Public, private sector partnerships and civic education initiatives would be instrumental in helping minimize the pollution of the river, which mainly results from human activity.
References
Bhutiani, R., Khanna, D. R., Kulkarni, D. B., & Ruhela, M. (2016). Assessment of Ganga River Ecosystem at Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India with Reference to Water Quality Indices. Applied Water Science , 6 (2), 107-113.
Sarkar, A. (2017). Environmental Pollution: Problems, Concerns and Initiatives in the Context of Global Scenario with Special Reference to India. Educational Quest , 8 (1), 171.
Wang, Y., Mukherjee, M., Wu, D., & Wu, X. (2016). Combating River Pollution in China and India: Policy Measures and Governance Challenges. Water Policy , 18 (S1), 122-137.
Wohl, Ellen E. 2012. A World of Rivers: Environmental Change on Ten of the World's Great Rivers. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
