The Ganga River as India’s Cultural Heritage: Socio-Political Dimensions of Pollution and Conservation

Abstract

Ganga is a living symbol of the faith of the Indian people, and indeed of Indianness itself Ganga is the largest river in India with extraordinary religious significance. This river provides water to 40 percent of India's population in 11 states of India. In other words, the lifeline of India is Ganga. The holy Ganga, which descended from Gangotri, is becoming dirty day by day. Today it is considered the sixth most polluted river in the world. Not only an important water resource, but also a sacred entity encapsulating the essence of Indian cultural and spiritual heritage. Conservation of the Ganga involves a multidimensional effort integrating environmental, socio-cultural and political sectors, which aims to address the serious challenges of pollution, unsustainable water uses and habitat destruction, while recognizing the profound importance of the river to Indian life. This abstract delineates the dimensions of Ganga conservation, outlines the primary challenges it faces, and explores the political implications in the context of Indian cultural heritage. The environmental dimension of Ganga conservation includes combating pollution from industrial discharges, agricultural runoff and domestic waste. Efforts to revitalize the river require innovative and sustainable water management practices to ensure its ecological integrity and the health of its biodiversity. This includes measures to enhance water quality, maintain ecological flows and restore critical habitats. At present, programs like Namami Gange program and Swachh Mission etc. reflect the government's methodology for the work of Ganga conservation.