Ganges, Pollution and Culture: An Assessment of Pollution on Ganga River in Banaras City, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Water is regarded as one of the mostessential liquids due to its multipurpose usages like cooking, bathing, performing rituals and most importantly for drinking not only by humans but also by all the living beings on Earth.The flowingwater in general and Ganges water in particularpronounced as a benefactor of purity and miracles. Ganges is one of the longest and holiestrivers across the world, but unfortunately, it is dying due to several anthropogenic activities such as dumping of garbage, ashes, corpses, idols, plastic items, garlands,human faecal and industrial effluents.The main objective of the research is toidentify and analyse people's perceptions about Ganges and what kind of existential threats are being faced by the river through multiple anthropogenic activities. For the purpose of data collection, both primary and secondary database have been used in the present research, which is based on descriptive and analytical approach. Based on the various research findings, papers, reports and journals, a household survey was conducted on the selected clusters and Ghats of Banaras district of Uttar Pradesh in December 2018. After the analysis, it was concluded that Ganga is not just a river, but it is a culture from birth to death all the human activities are performed along the river banks andghats within Banaras city. It has social, political, economic and cultural significance from the time immemorial. The river acts as the lifeline for Banaras/Varanasi. However, Ganga is well-regarded in the city, but it also carries away untreated waste materials ofaround 50 million people who are living in its catchment area.These waste materials are one of the major reasons for dying mother Ganga.