India's Polluted River Systems

Synopsis

Varanasi, located halfway down the Ganges, is one of the oldest cities in India, known in the West as Banaras. It holds sacred significance for Hindus and attracts numerous tourists to its narrow streets, temples, and famous Ghats where cremations occur. However, the Ganges faces severe pollution issues. Dams block its flow for electricity, while irrigation schemes deplete its waters. Fertilizer runoff, garbage, and raw sewage contaminate the river, alongside toxic chemicals from factories upstream, particularly from Kanpur's tanneries. These factories discharge harmful substances, including chromium, directly into the Ganges, exacerbating health issues among locals. Despite the presence of a treatment plant, it struggles to manage the waste from the rapidly growing leather industry. Activists, including environmental campaigner Rakesh Joyce, work tirelessly to address these challenges, highlighting the river's vital role in providing water and food to millions in North India and Bangladesh.