Pollution of the Ganges
Some rivers, lakes, and groundwater have been made unsuitable for human consumption. The Ganges River in India is the world’s sixth most polluted river. This is unsurprising given that hundreds of local companies discharge their effluents into the river. Furthermore, religious events like funerals and cremations along the coast contribute to pollution.
Apart from the environmental consequences, this river offers a major health danger since it may spread illnesses such as typhoid and cholera.
Pollution in the Ganges is also causing some of the unique species to become extinct. The Ganges River shark is a severely endangered species in the Carcharhiniformes order. The Ganges River dolphin is another endangered species found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers’ tributaries.
According to a report, about 4 billion people would experience water scarcity by the end of 2026. Currently, over 1.2 billion people worldwide lack access to clean, drinkable water and appropriate sanitation.
It is also estimated that over 1000 children die in India each year as a result of water-related concerns. Groundwater is an essential supply of water, but it is also prone to contamination. As a result, water contamination is a critical societal issue that must be addressed as soon as possible.
Causes and Effects of Water Pollution
Water is one of the most important natural resources on the planet, and it has been around for a very long time. In reality, the water we drink has existed in some form or another since the time of the dinosaurs. Water covers more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface. This equates to little more than 1 octillion litres of water spread throughout the seas, rivers, lakes, and streams.
Water covers 70% of the Earth’s surface and more than 60% of the human body. That is a lot of water, but only around 0.3% of it is suitable for human consumption. Although water makes up a large percentage of the Earth’s surface as well as our bodies, humans continue to contaminate the different sources of water.
With the rise in population, India’s pollution level is rising at an alarming rate. The primary sources of water contamination are industrial effluents and chemicals, sewage, and other waste. We will explore the causes, consequences, and various methods for preventing water contamination in this section.
Table of Content
- What is Water Pollution?
- Causes of Water Pollution
- Effects of Water Pollution
- Pollution of the Ganges
- Control Measures of Water Pollution
- Sample Questions
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