Today the population has a much reduced range, and is divided by dams into isolated groups. The river Ganges is one of the most sacred rivers in India. Pollution is not the only threat to the Ganges. Brahmaputra River | India, Bangladesh, China | Britannica The main source of the Ganges River is a glacier in the Himayalan mountains. This pollution is causing great problems for the people who live near the river and depend on it for their water supply. The pollution in the Ganga and other rivers is linked to the high rate of waterborne illnesses in India, which kill an estimated 15 million children each year. The Ganges river has been used by humans for a variety of purposes for centuries. Only about half of that sewage has undergone any kind of treatment, meaning that the rivers waters are extremely dirty. What are the domestic uses of water from the Ganges River? The river is also used for irrigating crops and for transportation. She loves to explore different cultures, landscapes, and history through her travels. Dhaka and Murshidabad in the delta region were centres of Muslim power. All rights reserved. West Bengal and Bangladesh, however, do still use the waterways to transport jute, tea, grain and other agricultural products. Spreading ashes in the water after death is believed to improve a persons karma and hasten salvation. . The average depth of the Ganges River is 52 feet. What you need to know about copperhead snake bites, Inside the growing movement to breed healthier, friendlier dogs. But how many of these rivers can claim to have their headwaters in the heavens? Though iconography of the goddess varies, she is most often depicted as a beautiful woman with a white crown, riding the Makra (a creature with the head of a crocodile and the tail of a dolphin). At the confluence of the Ganges and and the Tamuna tributory near Allahabad a bathing festival in January and February attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. India's effort to clean up sacred but polluted Ganga River 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 contains numerous animals, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and the Ganges River dolphin. Ganges - Wikipedia Although officially as well as popularly called the Ganga in Hindi and in other Indian languages, internationally it is known by its conventional name, the Ganges. Due to the number of people living along its shores, much untreated sewage, industrial metals, agricultural waste and chemicals, and crematory ashes are dumped or leaked into the waters. The Ganges is clearly an important river system to both humans and the natural ecosystem, but it's in danger. Ganges River summary | Britannica They rely on the river for drinking, bathing, and irrigating their land. As such, it shouldn't be surprising to learn that there are some pretty rare creatures in and around these waters. The Ganges River has long been a vital part of life in India. The river is also a spiritual place for Hindus, who believe that it is holy. The river flows through 29 cities with population over 100,000, 23 cities with population between 50,000 and 100,000, and about 48 towns. This pollution has a negative impact on the environment and on the health of those who live near the river. Breeding The Ganges shark is one of the largest fish in the Ganges River. Brahmaputra River, Bengali Jamuna, Tibetan Tsangpo, Chinese (Pinyin) Yarlung Zangbo Jiang or (Wade-Giles romanization) Ya-lu-tsang-pu Chiang, major river of Central and South Asia. The construction of the Farakka Barrage at the head of the delta in West Bengal is a cause of major tension between India and Bangladesh. The delta also experiences strong cyclonic storms before and after the monsoon season which can be devastating. Words and photographs by Stuart Butler. They're requiem sharks, like bull sharks, spinner sharks, and tiger sharks, and . depends on the person, but fishermen, swimmers, and boaters are some of the more popular activities. Over 300,000 Indian children die annually from drinking contaminated water. She was 83 years old and had enjoyed good health and comfort all her life. The species was first listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of . The Ganges river basin is one of the most . "Ganges," Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2001 - http://encarta.msn.com, "Ganges River" Encyclopedia Britannica article - http://www.britannica.com, Cetacea - http://www.cetacea.org/ganges.htm. Nowadays, groups are considerably smaller, and individuals may also be found alone. This means that while the loss of glaciers may have other impacts on the environment, it is not likely to cause major changes in river flow. When I asked what the worst had been, he replied without hesitation: India. Thats when I knew I had to experience it for myself. Bathing in the Ganges is a ritual that is thought to purify a person and wash away their sins. River Ganges | The Water Page The Ganges River contains the Ganges River dolphin, a small mammal cetacean, or marine mammal, resembling the Indus River dolphin. The project is now in its second phase - GAP II. How did Death Valley gets its name? Industry on the Banks: Deep Inside Kanpur's Tanneries Why do they keep dying? The Ganges River is a sacred waterway for Hindus in India. The Ganges River is used for many purposes, including domestic, agricultural, and religious purposes. Too much water is being removed for farming and other uses, barrages and dams disrupt the Ganges natural flow, and pollution from homes and industries have badly contaminated whats left of this once mighty, free-flowing river. 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. Bycatch in gillnets and line hooks is also a major source of mortality for this subspecies. 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. Do people use the Ganges River for transportation? The alluvial mantle of the plain, which in some places is more than 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) thick, is possibly not more than 10,000 years old. Soil moisture and groundwater levels continue to decrease and the ecosystems of the region are being damaged. It inhabits the River Hooghly in West Bengal, as well as the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi in the states of Bihar, Assam, and Orissa. The river is home to unique crocodiles and turtles as well. The hydroelectric potential of the Ganges and its tributaries is enormousestimates have ranged from some 51,700 to 128,700 megawattsof which about two-fifths lies within India and the rest in Nepal. . The. People use the river for bathing, washing, and cooking. The river is worshiped as a goddess and is a very important part of Hinduism. Despite the challenges, the Ganges River remains an essential part of life in India. For many Hindus, even dirty water is considered holy and they will take a dip in it. . One of the great rivers of the world, the Ganges River starts in the Himalayas in India, but near the border with Tibet. What did chinas yellow river people cultivate? These dolphins swim on their sides when moving through the water, and lack good eyesight. The Ganges River forms the largest delta in the world. Conservation and religion join to save Ganges dolphin, Download the WWF Nepal Karnali River dolphin report. This would be devastating to Indian economies, life, and even religious practices. Carolyn has had the opportunity to sail down the Nile, raft through the Grand Canyon, and cruise along the Amazon. The Ganges River is a sacred waterway for Hindus in India. WWF has initiated a project to survey Ganges river dolphin populations in the Karnali River and its tributaries. The Ganges River is one of the most important river systems in the world and a staple of Indian life, history, and ecosystems. 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. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 However, a recent study has found that bathing in the river can expose people to high levels of faecal coliform bacteria, which can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses. 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. Some of the primary tributaries of the Ganges River are Burhi Gandak, Gandaki Koshi, Ghaghara, Gomti, Mahananda, Punpun, Ramganga, Son, Tamsa and Yamuna. In the 19th century, Ganges River dolphins were once found in large schools close to urban centres along the river. While places of Hindu pilgrimage, called tirthas, are located throughout the subcontinent, those that are situated on the Ganges have particular significance. Industrial actions and intensive agriculture along the course of the river have introduced new threats for the Ganga river dolphin and its habitats. The Ganga River, known as the Ganges under British rule, is one of the most revered waterways in the world -- and also among the most polluted. (Photograph by Brett Rogers), Standing Stone Circles of Northwest Arabia, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. This has created a new environmental problem for the Ganges River. Bathing in the Ganges River is a part of many important Hindu festivals. Destroying it is likened to deicide. The bodies of dead animals, as well as the ashes of human beings, have been placed in the river causing pollution. I had brought two trusted river rat friends, Doug and Cliff, who have accompanied me on many previous expeditions along for the ride as well as a first timer, Matt, an entrepreneurwho wanted to take a break from the corporate grind. The Ganges River is used for more than agricultural purposes. There are very few places in the world where freshwater dolphins can be found today, and the Ganges is one of them. The river is considered to be the personification of Ganga, who is the mother of all humanity and the goddess of purification. In my experience, nature is the best healing agent the only way to make sense of things that make no sense. Although the population size has decreased compared to historical levels, it is still considered to be large enough to sustain the species in the future if adequate conservation measures are taken soon. Grades 5 - 8 Subjects The Ganges River is one of the great rivers of the world, spanning 1,500 miles from the Himalayan mountains to the Bay of Bengal. Female river dolphins grow slightly larger than males. The river and its tributaries are a vital water source for hundreds of millions of people. Egg whites? Ganges River Dolphin | Extinct and Endangered animal facts The Ganges River dolphin favours deep pools, eddy counter-currents located downstream of the convergence of rivers and of sharp meanders, and upstream and downstream of mid-channel islands. The Ganges has been used for irrigation since ancient times. This area is rich with fertile soil due to how the river carries sediments and nutrients along its currents, then deposits them in places where it slows. The survival of the Ganges River dolphin is threatened by unintentional killing through entanglement in fishing gear; directed harvest for dolphin oil, which is used as a fish attractant and for medicinal purposes; water development projects (e.g. It has been revered from the earliest times and today is regarded as the holiest of rivers by Hindus. As the climate changes, low-lying Bangladesh will increasingly face issues such as food insecurity, sea level rise . The River Ganges is the center of social and religious tradition in the Indian sub-continent, and is particularly sacred to Hindus. Stretching from the Himalayan foothills to the. Contents Geography Course History Religious Significance In Hinduism The river system became so unhealthy that the government finally acted in 1986 and launched the Ganga Action Plan to curb pollution and restore the waters. This freshwater system provides resources for millions. It is 1 560 miles (2 510 km) long and flows through China, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The entire route is pocketed with pilgrimage sites and shrines, and people come from around the world to wash in the sacred waters or spread the ashes of cremated loved ones. The Ganges River is a very sacred river to the Hindu people. Species include crustaceans, reptiles and mammals; some creatures exist only in the Ganges River and classify as threatened or endangered. Efforts have been made in India to test shark liver and sardine oil and fish offal to find an alternative for dolphin products. The water supply to the river depends on the rains brought by the monsoon winds from July to October and the melting snow from the Himalayas during the period from April to June. Cetaceans (whales, dolphins & porpoises) are a. If something isnt done soon, the Ganges River could be in serious trouble. Other holy places for immersion are at Varanasi and at Haridwar. This is because the bacteriophages kill the bacteria, preventing them from growing and multiplying. When we finally reached the banks of the holy river, we submerged our bodies in its cold waters towash away our sins and bless our travels. Not from the heat. There was never any wailing or crying. But after rowing the Ganges I learned death is as purposeful as the setting sun. Ganges River Delta - Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The Ganges river is one of the most important rivers in India. We bathe in and pray for Ganga Ma, for she washes away our sins and directs our reincarnation. Hundreds of species reside in the waters of the Ganges River, live in the river basin and reside in surrounding habitats. The Hindus cast the ashes of their dead into the river, believing that this gives the deceased direct passage to heaven, and cremation ghats (temples at the summit of riverside steps) for burning the dead have been built in many places on the banks of the Ganges. These projects result in major changes in the flow, sediment load, and water quality of rivers, which affects the quality of waters downstream. The river Ganges is one of the most sacred and important rivers in India. The Ganga is also useful in washing clothes, bathing, cooking, having a water supply, etc. The Ganges River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. This pollution is causing serious health problems for the people who depend on the Ganges for their water needs. The Ganges: river of life, religion and pollution - Geographical Create your account, 18 chapters | The Ganges river dolphins usually swim alone or in pairs and are not known to do acrobatic maneuvers near boats. Required fields are marked *. The strike that shut down Hollywoodin 1960, How Barbies signature pink took over the world, How this musical genius went from superstar to has-been to icon, Atomic bomb survivors share their stories, If youve felt like people are getting crueler, you may be right, Great Pacific Garbage Patch is unexpectedly teeming with life, Omega-3s are more critical for your health than we thought, Tannins? And we were ready for an adventure. The average annual rainfall varies from 30 inches (760 mm) at the western end of the basin to more than 90 inches (2,290 mm) at the eastern end. Historical writings indicate that in the 16th and 17th centuries wild elephants, buffalo, bison, rhinoceroses, lions, and tigers were hunted there. This elusive fish lives exclusively in the salt-free waters of the Ganga. Why has the Indian government had such a hard time . The Ganges-Yamuna area was once densely forested. ICMR has advised people to take precautions while bathing in the river, such as using disinfected water and avoiding contact with contaminated water. The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in 1801. Ganges river dolphin - Wikipedia Hydroelectric power is a renewable source of energy that can be used to generate electricity. 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. Many of these can be found in the mangroves of the Sundarbans delta in the Bengal Basin, which is a unique ecosystem. Ganges Facts for Kids "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. Steps must be taken to reduce the pollution in the river in order to protect the health of those who depend on it. The river provides fresh water to the 400 million who live in its basin. The waters of the Ganges are therefore sacred, flowing from heaven as the goddess Ganga. It is not only a source of water for irrigation and drinking, but also a holy river where Hindus can bathe and purify themselves. The Gangotri Glacier is the headwaters for the Ganges and other sources of ice and snow in the Himalayas all the way to the Bay of Bengal. 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. Brett Rogers is an acclaimed river explorer, filmmaker, Kensington Tours Explorer-in-Residence and Explorers Club Member. The Ganges hosts a diverse array of animal life and is one of the richest river systems in the world in terms of biodiversity. Bangladesh claims that the Farakka Barrage deprives the country of a valuable source of water on which it depends because the Ganges waters are vital to irrigation, navigation and prevention of saline incursions in the Bangladesh Ganges delta region. Since there is little variation in relief over the entire surface of the Gangetic Plain, the rivers rate of flow is slow. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a8b63a359e0fed365904265f142e0b17" );document.getElementById("a67ad6e162").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); 2023 World rivers Explore the World's Rivers: Discover the Wonders Within. 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. 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 river is also important for irrigation and economic development. Its length is 1,569 miles (2,525 km). The Ganges: India's sacred river | WWF To the east and south, especially in Bengal, peoples speaking Austroasiatic, Indo-Aryan, and Tibeto-Burman languages have joined the population over the centuries. Ganges River at Varanasi. The Ganges river basin is one of the most fertile and densely populated in the world and covers an area of 400 000 sq miles (1 000 000 sq km). It hosts a great amount of biodiversity, including rare mangrove-dwelling tigers and the famous freshwater dolphins, the Ganges River dolphins. Only in the Sundarbans area of the delta are some Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and marsh deer still found. The movements of the Ganges River dolphin follow seasonal patterns, although the details are not well known. The Ganges River flows through two countries. Researchers have also discovered the emergence of so-called superbugs in Ganges water samples, bacteria resistant to most commonly used antibiotics. Carolyn Johnston is an avid traveler with a particular interest in the world's most famous rivers. Ganges River Dolphin | Freshwater Dolphin | Species | WWF Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a70956270457ca492cb291686bdc8dc5" );document.getElementById("a67ad6e162").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); 2023 World rivers Explore the World's Rivers: Discover the Wonders Within. Then, of course, there's the impact of increased carbon emissions that comes along with industrialization and population growth. How has the Indian practice of cremating their dead been a problem for the river? Life Cycle There remains high fish populations in the rivers which provides an important part of the inhabitants' diet. Instead, unable to receive proper services, families attempted to cremate their own loved ones, bury them in shallow graves, or float them along the river. Farmers today continue to grow these crops, in addition to sesame, jute, legumes, and more. The Ganges River dolphin lives in one of the worlds most densely populated areas, and is threatened by removal of river water and siltation arising from deforestation, pollution and entanglement in fisheries nets. The Ganges River ends when it flows into the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean. The oldest male animal on record was about 28 years old. Hydroelectric power is a renewable source of energy that can be used to generate electricity. It is 1 560 miles (2 510 km) long and flows through China, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Fecal bacteria at this point is 150 times higher than the safe level for bathing, let alone drinking. Hundreds of millions of people and a huge range of wildlife rely on the river Ganges. Pilgrimage sites are particularly significant along the river. The river water is so muddy that vision is useless and so these dolphins are blind and their eyes have no lenses. Bathing in the river is believed to wash away one's sins. 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. Sitas 40-foot frame sliced through the sediment with ease as we sank our large bamboo oars into the rivers depths. The river has its source in the Himalayas, at Gaumakh in the southern Himalayas on the Indian side of the Tibetan border. What do people use the ganges river for? - World rivers Indus and Ganges River Dolphins - National Marine Mammal Foundation - NMMF The research findings published in the paper conclude that the flow of rivers will not be signifcantly affected by glacial melt, even though glaciers make up a large component of their water volume. Resource ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY Ganges River Basin The Ganges (Ganga) River is a sacred body of water to Hindus that begins high in the Himalaya Mountains and empties out into the Bay of Bengal. An error occurred trying to load this video. If that happens, it's possible for one of the world's most important freshwater sources to disappear every year in the dry season. The Ganges river flows through India and Bangladesh, starting in the western Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The Ganges River, which is in India and Bangladesh, has many uses. The Ganges River has been used for centuries by the people of India for transportation, irrigation, drinking water, and bathing. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you It is believed that the bacteriophages in the water of river Ganga help to keep the water clean and free of bacteria. Third, it is religiously important to the people who live there. Here, the Ganges empties into the Bay of Bengal at a rate of 11,000 cubic meters of water per second. Many varieties of birds are found, such as mynah birds, parrots, crows, kites, partridges, and fowls. When someone has lived a long time, we cannot be sad, he replied. The river supports over 400 million people and thousands of animal and plant species. They use a sophisticated echolocation system to navigate and find food. WWF also monitors dolphin populations and threats in important dolphin habitats in other areas of the country. On the seaward side of the delta are swamplands and tidal forests called Sunderbans which are protected conservation areas in both Indian and Bangladeshi law. The silt deposits of the delta cover an area of 23 000 sq miles (60 000 sq km). The Ganges River is important for many reasons. Why Ganges River Dolphins Are Endangered and What We Can Do - Treehugger Fish abound in all the rivers, especially in the delta area, where they form an important part of the inhabitants diet. Your email address will not be published. During the Muslim era, which began in the 12th century, Muslim rule extended not only over the plain but over all Bengal as well. The Ganges is a holy river for Hindus and is worshipped as a goddess, known as Ganga Ma. Geographists to Historians and Mythologists regard Ganges as the heart of Indian culture, tradition and living. Swimming the Lordly Hudson, All 315 Miles of It Rare freshwater sharks hang out in the mangroves, as do the world's last surviving populations of mangrove-based tigers. The river Ganges is one of the most polluted waterways in the world. Although its eye lacks a lens (this species is also referred to as the blind dolphin), the dolphin still uses its eye to locate itself. There is a belief among some people that locals have built up an immunity to the rivers bacteria, even if their mission is to clean it up. Washing in Ganga is believed to purify someone of all sins. It is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world, boasting over 140 species of fish, over 90 species of amphibians, and 315 species of birds. Some rivers provide irrigation, some provide transportation, and some, they say, provide eternal salvation. The centres of the great Mughal Empire were at Delhi and Agra, in the western Ganges basin. The Haridwar dam diverts melted snow from the Himalayas to the Upper Ganges Canal which was built by the British in 1854. The Ganges River flows through two countries in Asia and they are India and Bangladesh. 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. What did chinas yellow river people cultivate? Behavior. The river is also a critical part of the Hindu religion, and is considered to be holy. Cari Herndon is an experienced teacher and curriculum developer, focused on creating more inclusive curricula. About the Ganges river The River Ganges (or Ganga) flows from the Himalayas all the way to the Bay of Bengal, through some of Asia's most densely-populated regions. Remember, the Ganges is sacred. The goddess Ganga is believed to embody the river. With little government regulation for much of the 20th century, a lot of pollution was dumped into the river. Some iconic species live in the Ganges River, including Panthera tigris, a breed of tiger living only in the mangrove forests surrounding the Ganges. Myjourney began in Rishikesh, where the Ganges descends from the Himalayas, bringing life, rebirth, and death to millions throughout India. Menopause is rare among animals. Between the Yamuna River at Delhi and the Bay of Bengal, a distance of nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 km), the elevation drops only some 700 feet (210 metres).