THE RIVER GANGA: A LIFE SUPPORT FOR MILLIONS NEED HOLISTIC ATTENTION

Abstract

The Ganga River Basin i.e., 8,61,404 km2, is the largest river basin in the country. It supports 47% of Indian population directly or indirectly in 11 states. About 65.5% of this basin is used for agriculture purpose and millions depends on their daily livilihood. The river Ganga, which is the largest river of India, passes through 5 states during her journey of 2525 km from Gomukh in Himalaya to Gangasagar in the Bay of Bengal. More than hundred small and large rivers are joining the Ganga river at different locations as its tributaries and ensure the flow and volume of the Ganga water. But the developmental activities like industrial operations, agricultural practices, domestic uses, construction of dams, barrages, lifting canal, sand mining, encroachment in the river channel area etc. led to alteration in geological, morphological, ecological and economic conditions of the Ganga river. Subsequently, the river is losing its water quality characteristic, biodiversity, ecological services to the society, economic importance, cultural significance, and her inimitability. Therefore, it is imperative to rejuvenate the Ganga river and Ganga river system as a whole.