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Our National River Ganga pp 45–71Cite as

Ganga – Our Endangered Heritage

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Abstract

Ganga, the Holy river of India, provides life sustaining succor for environment and ecology. It has a historical bondage with our civilization. But the river water which was famous for its self-purifying capacity is now highly polluted due to discharge of untreated municipal and industrial waste waters and effluents directly into the Ganga and Yamuna. The problem is compounded by its depleted flow due to diversions caused by construction of dams and barrages. Deforestation in its catchment, sand mining and stone quarrying in its river bed and bank are doing enormous harm to its environment and ecology. Ganga is now rated as one of the ten most endangered rivers of the world. Climate change and global warming syndrome is also likely to add to the crisis. The restoration of the river to its original pristine quality needs concerted actions from all sections of the society and administration. The article gives an overview of the state of the Ganga and possible measures to restore its quality and flow.

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Acknowledgements 

The author places on record his deep sense of gratitude to Late Dr. B.P. Radhakrishna of Geological Society of India, for initiating him in the study with many valuable suggestions. Grateful thanks are also due to Dr. Rashmi Sanghi for her invitation to write the article and constant encouragement in this work. Lastly, the author also acknowledges the valuable support received from Dr.K. M. Najeeb, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board and Shri Dwaipayan Das, Director (Engg), ARICENT, in this work.

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  1. Formerly with Central Ground Water Board, Flat # M 901, HM Tambourine, 28 Jaraganahalli, J. P. Nagar 6th Phase, Kanakpura Road, Bangalore, 560078, India

    Subhajyoti Das

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  1. Subhajyoti Das
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Correspondence to Subhajyoti Das .

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  1. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India

    Rashmi Sanghi

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Das, S. (2014). Ganga – Our Endangered Heritage. In: Sanghi, R. (eds) Our National River Ganga. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00530-0_2

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