Rejuvenation of Rivers in India: A Case Study on Efforts for Rejuvenation of River Ganga

Abstract

Ganga, our national river, which is considered sacred by the Hindus, is facing the worst level of pollution. Its water which was once used for drinking has deteriorated to such an extent that it has become unfit even for bathing at most of the stretches of river. Its water quality deteriorates as it progresses from upstream to downstream. Anthropogenic activities like disposal of untreated sewage and industrial effluents, bathing, washing clothes, the bathing of animals, construction of dams, religious activities, waste generated due to tourism, disposal of half-burnt dead bodies, etc. are the main reason behind the pollution of River Ganga. Self-cleansing capacity of River Ganga is badly influenced by the pollution caused due to increase in population density, unplanned industrialization, and urbanization.

The government has been continuously working on various ways to improve the quality of River Ganga for more than three decades but didn’t get the expected results. A number of initiatives have been undertaken to clean the River Ganga which are the Ganga Action Plan, Namami Gange Programme, etc. Namami Gange aims at Ganga rejuvenation by focusing on all the present efforts and preparing an effective action plan for the future. Academic institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology and non-governmental organizations like the India Water Portal, Centre for Science and Environment, Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Tarun Bharat Sangh, Save Ganga Movement, and Ganga Mahasabha are also involved in efforts for rejuvenation of River Ganga. All the initiatives taken by the government can only be successful with active community involvement in mission mode for rejuvenating Ganga.