Ganga Needs More Than Just Cleaning

Government reforms must include basin-scale hydrological and ecological conservation efforts Michelle Irengbam, Shivani Barthwal, Niladri Dasgupta, Ruchi Badola & Syed Ainul Hussain

- Michelle Irengbam, Shivani Barthwal, Niladri Dasgupta, Ruchi Badola & Syed Ainul Hussain

The river Ganga has a complex web of problems that emanate simply due to its sheer size, course and the population it supports. The competing roles of the river basin— economic development, livelihood resource generation, energy supply, and biodiversity conservation— necessitate well-researched tradeoffs and synergistic alliances. However, as typical of complex governance systems with multiple actors, inconsistent policies and practices have resulted in severe degradation of the river’s ecosystem and its biodiversity.

Ecological services, essential for the survival of communities and aquatic species, are created and sustained by a free-flowing river. But most of the Ganga’s flow is diverted primarily for hydropower generation and irrigation, compromising the ecological and hydrological integrity of the river and creating a fragmented river system. This managed flow of the river signifies highly unequal power relations as is evident from the amount of water left for ecological sustenance, bringing about socio-ecological polarisation in the region.

Despite being a powerful hub for culture and history and a haven for devotees, the Ganga is highly polluted. The causes of pollution are many—influx of domestic sewage, agricultural and industrial wastes and wastes from religious and cultural rites. The local communities here thrive on a water economy, largely dependent on the river’s resources. The region is also among the most fertile belts due to alluvial soil deposits, hence, agriculture accounts for a large portion of the local economy. The resulting agricultural practices and excessive use of fertilizers have put the river and its aquatic life under stress. However, controlling the influx of waste is only a part of the challenge.