It is believed that any water that mixes with even the smallest amount of Ganges water becomes holy with healing powers. The Ganges River is a very sacred river to the Hindu people. What did chinas yellow river people cultivate? Life Cycle Cheetahs have come back to India. In recent years, the river has become polluted and is now considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The oldest recorded animal was a 28-year-old male, 199 cm in length, although they are estimated to live up to 30 years old. Fecal bacteria at this point is 150 times higher than the safe level for bathing, let alone drinking. Where is the Ganges River located? She was 83 years old and had enjoyed good health and comfort all her life. How has the Indian practice of cremating their dead been a problem for the river? Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. For Hindus, the river is literally a living goddess, Ganga Ma. Despite its importance to Indian industry and agriculture, as well as Hinduism, the Ganges has become highly polluted and is threatened by global warming. She has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga." Not from the heat. I came to understand the Hindu belief that the stronger your connection to the Ganges, the better your chances of improving your status through reincarnation. 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The study highlights the need for better sanitation and hygiene conditions in and around river Ganga, in order to protect the health of people who rely on the river for their daily needs. Some of those storms result in much loss of life and the destruction of homes, crops, and livestock. The chromium from the tanneries is a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems. The river plays a significant role in the livelihood, food and nutritional security of about one-third of Indian and two-thirds of the Bangladeshi population. Historical writings indicate that in the 16th and 17th centuries wild elephants, buffalo, bison, rhinoceroses, lions, and tigers were hunted there. India's population has also drastically increased since the mid-20th century, resulting in overuse of the water systems. Humans have relied on the Ganges for millennia, but we aren't the only species to do so. One of the great rivers of the world, the Ganges River starts in the Himalayas in India, but near the border with Tibet. The River Ganges is one of the most important rivers in the world, and is especially sacred to Hindus. Fauna | Ganga Action Parivar | Clean Ganga. Green Ganga. However, it is now heavily polluted with sewage and effluents from tanneries. How has the ganges river been used? - World rivers However, it is also one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Hundreds of species reside in the waters of the Ganges River, live in the river basin and reside in surrounding habitats. First, it provides freshwater to the 400 million people who live in its basin. They believe that the goddess Ganga Ma, or Mother Ganges, dwells in the waters of the river and protects, purifies and brings to heaven those who touch it. The Ganges River is the 4th longest river in Bangladesh. The Ganges is a major river in India and Nepal, and its potential for generating hydroelectric power is substantial. The Ganges river is one of the most polluted waterways in the world due to the large amount of sewage that is emptied into it every day. Cari Herndon is an experienced teacher and curriculum developer, focused on creating more inclusive curricula. Bathing in the Ganges is a ritual that is thought to purify a person and wash away their sins. Hindus also cast the ashes of their dead in the river in the belief that this will guide the souls of the deceased straight to paradise. The silt deposits of the delta cover an area of 23 000 sq miles (60 000 sq km). Pollution of the Ganges has become so serious that bathing in and drinking its water has become very dangerous. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the Susu. The bodies of dead animals, as well as the ashes of human beings, have been placed in the river causing pollution. In 1997, WWF India developed a plan of action for the conservation of the Ganges River dolphin. Hindus believe that bathing in the river on certain occasions can lead to the forgiveness of transgressions and help attain salvation. The Ganges River is the longest river in India. succeed. The hydroelectric potential of the Ganges is 13 million kilowatts, two fifths of which lies in India and the rest in Nepal. There are six species of river sharks found in the world, out of which the Ganges shark (Glyphis gangeticus) is endemic to India. It is the longest river in India and flows for around 1,569 miles (2,525 km) from the Himalayan Mountains to the Bay of Bengal. The river provided the resources necessary for the creation of several historic Indian civilizations and has remained vital to religious and cultural traditions in India ever since. . In the 19th century, Ganges River dolphins were once found in large schools close to urban centres along the river. Farmers today continue to grow these crops, in addition to sesame, jute, legumes, and more. It made sense. Experts have found a link. Fish abound in all the rivers, especially in the delta area, where they form an important part of the inhabitants diet. When I asked what the worst had been, he replied without hesitation: India. Thats when I knew I had to experience it for myself. The river courses in the delta are broad and active, carrying a vast amount of water. Located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, this massive glacier is the main source of the river, which flows into the plains of northern India and joins with six other major waterways (all of which are fed from snow and glacial melt of the Himalayas) to form the Ganges proper. What was the purpose of the Ganges Action plan begun in the 1980s. India's most revered river, the Ganges, or Ganga, is formed by the merging of two mountain streams, the Bhagirathi, which is fed by the melting of the Gangotri glacier . Ganges River - Monsoon, Tributaries, Pollution | Britannica A river basin is an area in which all the rainwater and surface water flows into the river that forms it. The Ganges flows a total of about 1,560 miles from the Himalayas, across eastern India and through Bangladesh. The British, having founded Calcutta (Kolkata) on the banks of the Hugli River in the late 17th century, gradually expanded their dominion up the valley of the Ganges, reaching Delhi in the mid-19th century. The Ganges River is one of the most important river systems in the world and a staple of Indian life, history, and ecosystems. The river is used for transportation, fishing, and hydroelectric energy. The Ganges River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. In this case, the rainwater and surface water flow directly into the Ganges River, feeding and maintaining its flow. The Ganges River has been used for a variety of purposes over the years, including transportation, irrigation, and water for domestic use. The river is also an important source of water for many people who live along its banks. They consume fish living in the Ganges as do Gharial crocodiles. Kids Encyclopedia Facts The Ganges is the second largest river on the Indian subcontinent by discharge. They cannot chew and usually swallow their prey. The entire length of the Ganges River is 1,680 miles. As we propelled ourselves ever forward, with Ravi at the stern, wepassed a magnificent array of contradictions and extremes: ancient ghats, brilliant flowers, bloated pig carcasses, endless farms, forgotten ruins, bustling cities. The distribution in the Ganges has diminished by approximately 100 km (62 miles) since the 19th century, with hundreds of kilometres of tributary habitat lost to irrigation barrages. Its effectiveness has been criticized as, while the rate of pollution has been contained, it still continues. Experts say that pollution in the Ganga and other rivers is linked to Indias high rate of waterborne illnesses, which kill an estimated 15 million children each year. Amanda Briney Updated on May 24, 2019 The Ganges River, also called Ganga, is a river located in northern India that flows toward the border with Bangladesh. The lowest estimate for the total population is 1,2001,800 individuals. The delta used to be densely forested and inhabited by many wild animals. West Bengal and Bangladesh, however, do still use the waterways to transport jute, tea, grain and other agricultural products. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you The river is seen as a goddess embodying the goddess Ganga. We had rowed past several dozen cremations on our trip, and the scene was always the same: Families and friends looking on as a body wrapped in silk and decorated with marigolds and religious icons was set ablaze beside the holy river. Ganges River, Hindi Ganga, River, northern India and Bangladesh.Held sacred by followers of Hinduism, it is formed from five headstreams rising in Uttaranchal state. Why do they keep dying? The Ganges River ends when it flows into the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean. Dhaka and Murshidabad in the delta region were centres of Muslim power. The oldest male animal on record was about 28 years old. Those who bathe in, die next to, or are cremated by the Ganges River are more easily able to enter Heaven, as her water lead there. Since there is little variation in relief over the entire surface of the Gangetic Plain, the rivers rate of flow is slow. When I asked Chapman, Whats the best country youve ever visited?, he said India with a gleam in his eye. The government needs to take action to protect the Ganges river. A recent survey conducted by WWF-India and its partners in the entire distribution range in the Ganga and Brahamaputra river system around 6,000 km identified fewer than 2,000 individuals in India. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The Ganges River is a watercourse that flows through two countries in Asia. Ganges River Dolphin | Freshwater Dolphin | Species | WWF The Ganges River is home to many different species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The presence of dolphin in a river system signals a healthy ecosystem. Ganges river is named after a Hindu goddess called Ganga. These include theDams Initiative, which works to ensure that the benefits provided by dams are not overtaken by negative environmental and social impacts; agriculture initiatives, which work to reduce water use and pollution caused by agriculture; and the promotion ofIntegrated River Basin Management, which aims to maintain or restore functioning freshwater ecosystems and promote sustainable use of water resources in the worlds major river basins. This River Ganges is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. There are an estimated 140 fish species and 90 amphibian species in the Ganges River. But it was five years ago, during a conversation with one of the most well-traveled people I have ever met,the lateWaterkeeper Alliancelawyer, Douglas Chapman,that my Ganges fascination reached fever pitch. The Ganges River is used for more than agricultural purposes. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. More than 50 dams and irrigation-related projects have had an adverse impact on the habitat of this species. The movements of the Ganges River dolphin follow seasonal patterns, although the details are not well known. Diet The untreated sewage dumped into the river, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, remnants of partially burned or unburned bodies from funeral pyres, and animal carcasses all contribute to polluting the Ganges. There is no specific birth period, although females usually give birth from October to March, with a peak in December and January at the onset of the dry season. It is not only a source of water for irrigation and drinking, but also a holy river where Hindus can bathe and purify themselves. Life and Death on the Ganges - National Geographic The main culprits of pollution in the Ganges are untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and remnants of partially burned or unburned bodies from funeral pyres. The river provides fresh water to the 400 million who live in its basin. The rains from June to October cause most of the Bangladeshi delta region to flood, leaving the villages that are built on artificially raised land isolated. However, according to Sue Lennox, chief executive of OzGreen, the idea that people who bathe in the river dont get ill is a myth. The religious importance of the Ganges may exceed that of any other river in the world. Under the GAP sewage is intercepted and water is diverted for treatment and several electrical crematoria have been built. And, although the majority of those following the Hindu faith do not consume fish or other meat, there is a market for fisheries along the Ganges River, particularly in Bangladesh and West Bengal, which is part of India. Humans are also threated by the large levels of pollutants in the Ganges River. High levels of disease-causing bacteria, as well as . In the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which covers much of Northern India, some parts of Pakistan, all of Bangladesh, and some parts of Nepal, is what we call the plain of the river. Indias river of extremes had called to me for a long time, in the same way Everest calls to the avid climber. The Ganges river has been used by humans for a variety of purposes for centuries. What did chinas yellow river people cultivate? Gharial - Wikipedia Hundreds of species reside in the waters of the Ganges River, live in the river basin and reside in surrounding habitats. The river is simply remarkable and absolutely spotless. The River Ganges contains numerous animals, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and the Ganges River dolphin. In the fall of 2013, photographer and videographer Pete McBride, along with professional climbers Jake Norton and Dave Morton, followed the Ganges River from . The very sight of the river, along with drinking its water, can purify a person of their sins from this life and the previous. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Hydroelectric power is a clean and renewable source of energy, and it has the potential to help meet the growing demand for electricity in the region. Remember, the Ganges is sacred. However, pollution, dams and removal of too much water (mostly for agriculture) have affected the flow and health of this vital river. Its length is 1,569 miles (2,525 km). It has been revered from the earliest times and today is regarded as the holiest of rivers by Hindus. "The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. One such storm, which occurred in November 1970, was of catastrophic proportions, resulting in deaths of at least 200,000 and possibly as many as 500,000 people; another, in April 1991, killed some 140,000. One of the main threats to the species is loss of habitat due in large part to the creation of dams and irrigation projects. The Ganges River is one of the most important rivers in India and is considered sacred by the Hindu people. Conservation and religion join to save Ganges dolphin, Download the WWF Nepal Karnali River dolphin report. Among the most notable are Saharanpur, Meerut, Agra (the city of the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum), Mathura (esteemed as the birthplace of the Hindu god Krishna), Aligarh, Kanpur, Bareilly, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi (Benares or Kashi; the holy city of the Hindus), Patna, Bhagalpur, Rajshahi, Murshidabad, Kolkata, Haora (Howrah), Dhaka, Khulna, and Barisal. They've helped humans create agriculture, technologies, and even entire civilizations. (In the upper Gangetic Plain in Uttar Pradesh, rainfall averages about 3040 inches [7601,020 mm]; in the Middle Ganges Plain of Bihar, from 40 to 60 inches [1,020 to 1,520 mm]; and in the delta region, between 60 and 100 inches [1,520 and 2,540 mm].) The Ganges River has long been a vital part of life in India. Among the many unique species found here and are at-risk is the freshwater Ganges River dolphin. Every day, around three million litres of sewage is emptied into the river. If something isnt done soon, the Ganges River could be in serious trouble. People use the river for bathing, washing, and cooking. there are approximately 2000 individuals remaining with some subpopulations estimated to have only approximately 20 animals left (Braulik 2015a). To mitigate the identified threats, WWF encourages local communities along a 164km-stretch of important dolphin habitat in the upper Ganges River to use natural fertilizers; not to dispose of domestic sewerage in the river; to improve sewerage management; to reforest the river bank; and to ban commercial fishing and sand-mining activities. Why is the Ganges River considered holy in Hinduism? She is licensed to teach 4th 12th grade science. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a70956270457ca492cb291686bdc8dc5" );document.getElementById("a67ad6e162").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); 2023 World rivers Explore the World's Rivers: Discover the Wonders Within. Causes The main causes of water pollution in the Ganges River, like many other rivers, are the disposal of human sewage and animal waste, increasing population density, and the disposal of industrial waste into the river. On its 1,560-mi (2,510-km) course, it flows southeast through the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.In central Bangladesh it is joined by the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. Scientists have also found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the Ganges River water. The Ganges: Hinduism's Holy River - Learn Religions
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