The Ganges River: Wallowing in Pollution

CBNNews.com

February 6, 2007

CBNNews.com - ALLAHABAD, India - The river that Hindus worship and call Ganga Ma, or Mother Ganges -- is suffering from a blight of pollution. Other names for the river are The Pure, Destroyer of Sin, and Light amid the Darkness of Ignorance.

Hindu holy men wonder how people can do this to their esteemed river, which is a living goddess to them.

"How can the Ganges be adirty?" asked Thiruven Shankar, joy obvious in his voice as he joined the throngs who believe her waters can wash away sin. "We drink it in, we worship its waters."

But the problem is real. Tons of chemicals, sewage waste and other filth are dumped into the Ganges daily, spreading disease among the 350 million who live along its shores or avail themselves of its water.

Scientists say that sewage has overwhelmed the 1,550-mile river, which spills from a Himalayan glacier and meanders through India's plains before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Scientists have found that portions of the river have a fecal bacteria count nearly 4,000 times the World Health Organization's standard for bathing.

Millions have filled a vast tent city on the floodplains nearby, gathering for a Hindu festival that pays homage to the river.

Up to 70 million people are expected for this year's 45-day festival, which ends Feb. 16, and even relatively quiet days bring tens of thousands of pilgrims to the river.

A group of Hindu holy men are protesting the growing degradation of their river. They have filed lawsuits, called news conferences and organized protests. A handful have even threatened suicide.

"The government has promised us they would stop dirty water from flowing into Mother Ganges, but it's still being done," said Narendranand Saraswati, a monastery leader. He told thousands of cheering followers who were gathered by the Ganges, "We want the entire country to know we will not stop until the river is clean!"

In India, these holy people are known collectively as "sadhus," which is a sweeping term that includes tens of thousands of Hindu holy men -- from revered leaders to charlatans who prey on the lost and confused.

While a handful are famous for their extravagant lifestyle -- luxury cars, fur coats and rumors of mistresses -- most live poor and celibate.

Many spend their days wandering India's streets, mere beggers, owning little beyond their clothes.

But among the group of sadhu leaders speaking out about the Ganges, some have strong political connections.

The problem is that, despite their perceived power, the results of their protests are mostly short-lived -- sparking headlines and a small furor during festival times, but nothing of lasting value.

This year, the government opened dams to increase the Ganges' flow during the festival , but a serious cleanup would have to confront decades of official failure.

"They government listens to us during the Kumbh Mela," said Binduji Maharaj, a sadhu leader. "But unfortunately, when it is over, they tend to forget us."

In the late 1980s, the Indian government vowed to clean up the river, launching its Ganges Action Plan. They have spent $300 million since then.

Its failures are famous. The federal environment minister noted recently the program had, in fact, achieved very little - and said $1.5 billion more was needed.

Repeatedly, the government has left promises unfilled, including to a group of sadhus who launched an anti-pollution hunger strike during the last Allahabad festival.

Mishra is the leader of an important Hindu temple. He doubts the recent attention will accomplish much.

Too many holy men have ties to corrupt politicians, he believes. He feels that one solution lies in shaming the officials who refuse to take the Ganges cleanup seriously.

"These officials must be humiliated!" said the usually soft-spoken Mishra, his voice rising sharply. "They must be embarrassed that they are allowing the Ganges to be dirtied!"

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