Recently, India witnessed the world’s largest religious congregation as millions of pilgrims gathered for a holy dip in the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela. Unfortunately, over time, the increase in population, along with unregulated industrialization and unsustainable agricultural practices, have led to a significant increase in pollutants in the Ganga river and its tributaries . However the program started by government named NAMAMI GANGE has efficiently resulted in the reduction of pollution of the river , its significance is well understood by the people of traditional and cultural practices although a few of these practices are the main reason for its pollution

REASONS FOR POLLUTION :-Rapid urbanization in ​India during ​the recent ​decades has ​given rise to a ​number of ​environmental ​problems such ​as water supply,​ wastewater ​generation and ​its collection, ​treatment, and ​disposal Many towns ​and cities ​which came upon the banks of ​river Ganga have not ​given proper ​thought to the ​problem of ​wastewater, ​sewerage, etc . Dead bodies are ​cremated on the ​river banks. ​Unrestricted flow of sewage and industrial effluents into the Ganga has adversely affected its purity. All ​these ​industrial ​wastes are ​toxic to life ​forms that ​consume this ​water.The other ​significant ​contributors to ​wastewater are ​paper mills, ​steel plants, ​textile, and ​sugar ​industries Religious ​faith and ​social ​practices also ​add to the ​pollution of the ​river ​Ganga. ​Dead bodies are ​cremated on the ​river banks. ​Partially burnt ​bodies are also ​flung into the ​river. Mass bathing ​in a river ​during ​religious ​festivals is ​another ​environmentally ​harmful ​practice.All this ​is done as a ​matter of ​religious faith ​and in keeping ​with ancient ​rituals. These ​practices ​pollute the ​river water and ​adversely ​affect the ​water quality. 

STEPS TAKEN TO REDUCE POLLUTION OF THE GANGA :- In 2016, the government issued a notification to authorize the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to exercise powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. NMCG also issued directives regulating mining activities on river banks, prohibiting encroachment, and regulating activities like the immersion of idols.NMCG adopted cutting-edge technologies like satellite imagery, remote sensing, and geospatial solutions which facilitated real-time monitoring of pollutants in Ganga and its tributaries. Scientific forecast models were deployed for designing new sewage treatment infrastructure.To encourage community participation in cleaning the river, an awareness campaign is regularly carried out in cities, towns, and villages alongside Ganga through a newly-established community force called “Ganga Praharis”.Through them, the government seeks to transform “jal chetna” into “jan chetna” and turn it into a “jal aandolan”.

                The Constitution of India mandates the central and state governments to provide both a clean and decent environment and clean drinking water for the people . Also, the Supreme Court has declared that the right to a decent and clean environment is a fundamental right.In this context, the Namami Gange project is a step in the right direction to clean the river Ganga and should be emulated to deal with pollution in other rivers of India