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The river is worshiped as a goddess and is a very important part of Hinduism. Dhaka and Murshidabad in the delta region were centres of Muslim power. All Rights Reserved. Download the WWF Nepal Karnali River dolphin report700 KB pdf. Hundreds of species reside in the waters of the Ganges River, live in the river basin and reside in surrounding habitats. Pilgrimage sites are particularly significant along the river. The Ganges River is the 4th longest river in Bangladesh. During its 315-mile journey from the . By Varanasi, the Ganges is an open sewer. The river and its tributaries are a vital water source for hundreds of millions of people, who rely on it to drink, bathe and irrigate land. Its effectiveness has been criticized as, while the rate of pollution has been contained, it still continues. in Secondary Education from DePaul University, she worked for ten years as a middle and high school science teacher. The Ganges River is a major source of water for many people in South Asia. The Ganga is also useful in washing clothes, bathing, cooking, having a water supply, etc. They classify as the longest crocodiles, having long snouts with sharp teeth and reside along the sandy river banks. Swimming the Lordly Hudson, All 315 Miles of It 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 is having a serious impact on the health of people who rely on the river for their daily needs. Humans have relied on the Ganges for millennia, but we aren't the only species to do so. In Nepal, it inhabits clear water and rapids. That's roughly equivalent to the distance between Miami and Montreal, or the entire east coast of the United States. The Ganges river dolphin occurs in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and has a higher population number than it's neighboring subspecies. The river provides fresh water to the 400 million who live in its basin. . Experts say that pollution in the Ganga and other rivers is linked to Indias high rate of waterborne illnesses, which kill an estimated 15 million children each year. "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. The main culprits of pollution in the Ganges are untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and remnants of partially burned or unburned bodies from funeral pyres. Other holy places for immersion are at Varanasi and at Haridwar. The species has a slit similar to a blowhole on the top of the head, which acts as a nostril. The river is also considered holy by many Hindus and is often used for religious ceremonies. The river is believed to have the power to cleanse the sins of the faithful and aid the dead on their journey to heaven. We bathe in and pray for Ganga Ma, for she washes away our sins and directs our reincarnation. Some of those storms result in much loss of life and the destruction of homes, crops, and livestock. A picture of the Ganges River flowing in a forest. Brahmaputra River | India, Bangladesh, China | Britannica Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. In Bangladesh and India, individuals live in rivers that flow slowly through the plains. Do people use the Ganges River for transportation? The movements of the Ganges River dolphin follow seasonal patterns, although the details are not well known. She loves to explore different cultures, landscapes, and history through her travels. 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. and animal carcasses. Never before had I seen so much death nourish so much life. For ten days, she was our home on the Ganges our portal into a world of few boundaries, where Hinduism is palpable and life and death confront the senses with brazen, and equal, abandon. Third, it is religiously important to the people who live there. Why Ganges River Dolphins Are Endangered and What We Can Do - Treehugger The oldest male animal on record was about 28 years old. The entire length of the Ganges River is 1,680 miles. The delta that it forms here with the Brahmaputra River is the largest in the world, covering 23,000 square miles and home to a variety of unique ecosystems. The Ganges River is most well-know for being one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The Ganges River flows through two countries. It inhabits the River Hooghly in West Bengal, as well as the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi in the states of Bihar, Assam and Orissa. The Ganges shark is one of the largest fish in the Ganges River. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Sitas 40-foot frame sliced through the sediment with ease as we sank our large bamboo oars into the rivers depths. What do people use the ganges river for? - World rivers Breeding Published July 19, 2023 Updated July 20, 2023. . How has the ganges river been used? - World rivers An Indian photographer has noted that no one in India spoke of the Ganges as being polluted until the late 1970s. This is because the bacteriophages kill the bacteria, preventing them from growing and multiplying. Ganges River Location & Features | Why is the Ganges River Important? To counter these effects fresh water is diverted into the Bhagirathi River via a large canal from the Ganges at Farakka. The river is used for transportation, fishing, and hydroelectric energy. 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 River Ganges contains numerous animals, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and the Ganges River dolphin. In recent years, the river has become increasingly polluted, and the Indian government has been working to clean it up. Ganges River Facts for Kids Why do people still bathe in the Ganges River? The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in 1801. The diet includes a variety of fish and invertebrates, namely prawns, clams, catfish, freshwater sharks, mahseers (except in India), gobies and carp. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the river. High levels of disease-causing bacteria, as well as . Water pollution in the Ganges River is caused by sewage discharge, industrial waste and plastic objects. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The gestation lasts from 9 to 11 months, and one calf is usually born, once every 2 to 3 years. With little government regulation for much of the 20th century, a lot of pollution was dumped into the river. Our team of editors, writers and fact checkers do extensive research before publishing articles on the site, and we do our best to provide the most accurate information possible. If you looked at a Ganges River map, you would see that from its headwater in the Himayalan mountains, it makes its way through two countries: Bangladesh and India. The river has its source in the Himalayas, at Gaumakh in the southern Himalayas on the Indian side of the Tibetan border. In the West, death is something we deny and fear because its something we cant control or even understand. In the Ganges valley the use of irrigation canals has increased the production of cash crops such as sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds. 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 religious icons was set ablaze beside the holy river. Some of the primary tributaries of the Ganges River are Burhi Gandak, Gandaki Koshi, Ghaghara, Gomti, Mahananda, Punpun, Ramganga, Son, Tamsa and Yamuna. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the Susu. The river is also a spiritual place for Hindus, who believe that it is holy. The Ganges River forms an extensive delta where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. [12] Human waste The river is simply remarkable and absolutely spotless. The delta used to be densely forested and inhabited by many wild animals. Words and photographs by Stuart Butler. The average size of a number of groups surveyed recently in the Ganges River system was two individuals. The Ganges River is used for many purposes, including domestic, agricultural, and religious purposes. The latter appears promising. 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. This was not the exception; it was the rule. India's most revered river, the Ganges, or Ganga, is formed by the merging of two mountain streams, the Bhagirathi, which is fed by the melting of the Gangotri glacier . The Ganges river is used for a number of purposes, including as a source of water for irrigation, drinking water, and for domestic and industrial use. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Hydroelectric power is a clean and renewable source of energy, and it has the potential to help meet the growing demand for electricity in the region. Ganges River Facts, Location, & Animals - Study.com The Ganges has been used for irrigation since ancient times. 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. Ganges river dolphins are usually 2.2-2.6 meters long (7-8 ft). Finally, it is home to many unique ecosystems, plants, and animals. There was never any wailing or crying. Instead, we were greeted with waves and the odd person eager to practice their broken Englishproclaiming Hello! Death was no stranger on the Ganges. Pollution of the Ganges - Wikipedia Hydroelectric power is a renewable source of energy that can be used to generate electricity. Its river basin is home to over 400 million people, who use it for freshwater consumption, nutrient-rich lands, and fisheries. This would be devastating to Indian economies, life, and even religious practices. The Thames River in London is by far the cleanest river in the world. The goddess Ganga is believed to embody the river. What was the purpose of the Ganges Action plan begun in the 1980s. The fertile lands were also used to create pastures in order to grow livestock. In the Bengal area common fish include featherbacks (Notopteridae family), barbs (Cyprinidae), walking catfish, gouramis (Anabantidae), and milkfish (Chanidae). The river is home to unique crocodiles and turtles as well. The Ganges hosts a diverse array of animal life and is one of the richest river systems in the world in terms of biodiversity. Only a small amount of rainfall occurs in December and January. These factors include the damming of rivers for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes, and the increase in boat traffic, fishing and pollution. Females are larger than males and attain a maximum size of 2.67 m. Males are about 2.12 m. The colour of the dolphin is greyish brown. This is an important fact to remember when considering the long-term effects of climate change. 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. Habitat and Biodiversity Conservation | WWF India Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. How has the Indian practice of cremating their dead been a problem for the river? The Ganges is a major river in India and Nepal, and its potential for generating hydroelectric power is substantial. The Ganges river has been used by humans for a variety of purposes for centuries. Fauna | Ganga Action Parivar | Clean Ganga. Green Ganga. Amanda Briney Updated on May 24, 2019 The Ganges River, also called Ganga, is a river located in northern India that flows toward the border with Bangladesh. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a70956270457ca492cb291686bdc8dc5" );document.getElementById("a67ad6e162").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); 2023 World rivers Explore the World's Rivers: Discover the Wonders Within. In the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which covers much of Northern India, some parts of Pakistan, all of Bangladesh, and some parts of Nepal, is what we call the plain of the river. Climate and hydrology Ganges River: Mahatma Gandhi Bridge The Ganges basin encompasses some 419,300 square miles (1,086,000 square km) and contains the largest river system on the subcontinent. Ganges river dolphin, blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, Gangetic dolphin, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin, Indus River Dolphin ; Plataniste du Gange (Fr); Delfn del Ganges (Sp). The Ganges: river of life, religion and pollution - Geographical The Ganges River starts from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India, Asia. Every day, around three million litres of sewage is emptied into the river. He added that the river has become clean now. WWF additionally has several large-scale initiatives and projects to address freshwater issues that also affect river dolphins. In some cases, habitat alterations have resulted in the genetic isolation of dolphin populations. 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. The centres of the great Mughal Empire were at Delhi and Agra, in the western Ganges basin. The river is considered holy by Hindus, and it is a popular destination for pilgrims, who come to bathe in its sacred waters. 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. Cetaceans (whales, dolphins & porpoises) are a. On our last day in India, I found out my Gramma had passed away. In this case, the rainwater and surface water flow directly into the Ganges River, feeding and maintaining its flow. The Ganges River, which is in India and Bangladesh, has many uses. It is interesting to note that even though the glaciers will eventually disappear, the rivers will still flow due to rain and snowmelt. The centre of the Mauryan empire of Ashoka was Patna (ancient Pataliputra), on the Ganges in Bihar. The Haridwar dam diverts melted snow from the Himalayas to the Upper Ganges Canal which was built by the British in 1854. Create your account. See the Treaty. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. In November 1970, for example, 200 000 - 500 000 people were killed in such storms. In Bangladesh, its name changes to the Padma and empties into the Bay of Bengal. Another huge source of pollution is that of the nearly 1 billion litres of mostly untreated raw sewage that enters the river every day. The Ganges is clearly an important river system to both humans and the natural ecosystem, but it's in danger. Although the killing of this dolphin for meat and oil is thought to have declined, it still occurs in the middle Ganges near Patna, in the Kalni-Kushiyara River of Bangladesh, and in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra. The Gangotri Glacier has been rapidly melting, along with other snow and ice sources in the Himalayas that fuel this river system. However, pollution had been an old and continuous process in the river by the time people were finally acknowledging it. The oldest male animal on record was about 28 years old. The River Ganges is the center of social and religious tradition in the Indian sub-continent, and is particularly sacred to Hindus. The main cause of pollution in the Ganges river is due to the dumping of sewage and industrial waste into the river. Once every 12 years, during Kumbh Mela, over million people will make a pilgrimage to the Ganges River in order to bathe in this holy river. It is 1 560 miles (2 510 km) long and flows through China, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Interim agreements have been reached between India and Bangladesh on this issue - the "Treaty Between the government of the Republic of India and the government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka" signed on December 12, 1996, but a permanent settlement has not yet been attained. It is 1 560 miles (2 510 km) long and flows through China, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Only in the Sundarbans area of the delta are some Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and marsh deer still found. 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. succeed. Hindus regard the Ganges as the holiest of rivers. Most of the original natural vegetation has disappeared from the Ganges basin, and the land is now intensely cultivated to meet the needs of an ever-growing population. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India: pilgrimage, Varanasi: cremation ashes carried on the Ganges River. Known as Ganga Ma Mother Gangesthe river is revered as a goddess whose purity cleanses the sins of the faithful and aids the dead on their path toward heaven. Those who bathe in, die next to, or are cremated by the Ganges River are more easily able to enter Heaven, as her water lead there. The Ganges river is one of the most important rivers in India. Bangladesh holds that there should be joint control between India and Bangladesh over the waters of the Ganges as an international river. It flows through Nepal, China, India and Bangladesh. It is also causing environmental problems and harming the ecosystems that are dependent on the river. Geography of the Ganges River - ThoughtCo Its length is 1,569 miles (2,525 km). Thus, there is a holiness to all that enters its waters, living or dead. 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. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. The presence of dolphin in a river system signals a healthy ecosystem. The river has been used for transportation, irrigation, and even as a source of drinking water.