Is Kumbh Mela KILLING Ganga River?

Описание: The Ganga has become synonymous with pollution. Decades of contamination, unchecked littering, untreated sewage, industrial waste, government negligence, and a lack of public awareness have desecrated what many consider the holiest river on Earth.

Although the contradiction between the Ganga’s sacred status and its neglect is nothing new, the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela has made it more evident than ever. The world’s largest religious gathering is a spectacle of faith. This year an estimated 400 million pilgrims will partake in this 44-day divine congregation, dipping in the Ganga and offering prayers in hopes of salvation.

However, despite reports both in India and beyond its borders regarding the environmental toll the Kumbh Mela is expected to take on the sacred river, the truth is much more worrying. When considering the Ganga’s pollutants, domestic sewage and industrial effluents take the proverbial cake. Combined, the two contribute almost 90% of the total pollution and toxic waste in the 2500-km-long water body.

As such, maybe our attention should be less on religious rituals and more on systemic failures by the government, industries, and citizens in correcting practices, behaviors, and attitudes toward the Ganga. The Ganga is not just a river; it is a lifeline. Its decline is not inevitable; but reversing this trend demands stricter enforcement, sustainable practices, and collective responsibility. Will India take action before it’s too late?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay informed with Statecraft’s in-depth analysis.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more updates!

Our Socials:
Twitter(X): https://x.com/statecraftdaily
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statecraft_...

References:


https://nmcg.nic.in/pollution.aspx

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/fea...

https://thewire.in/environment/ten-ye...

https://www.oceansplasticleanup.com/O...

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/govern...

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/govern...