According to The New Yorker’s George Black, “restoring the Rhine, which is half the length, took almost three decades and cost forty-five billion dollars. The budget for Namami Gange is about three billion dollars over five years.”
The government isn't willing to throw the necessary money at the river.
"that the river's interest is their own interest"
Key to everything.
"In part it's cultural: Building a house out of brawny concrete has come to be viewed by many as a matter of prestige."
Cultural influence on choosing concrete.
"both rivers are heavily mined"
At first glance it looks like industry is to blame--but it is the poor people that are doing it. Hard to blame them though.
"The health survey demonstrates...water-borne disease incidence" (131)
Important, usuable quotation.
Source regarding chromium. Related to ganges pollution. used in tanning
We are going to build more plants but at the moment only a third of the city is connected to the sewers. The rest of it goes straight into the Ganges.”
important quote.
Hindus believe that being burned on a pyre beside the Ganges brings moksha: liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Hindu tradition
The river is a crucial source of water for a vast area. Its basin covers more than one million sq km (390,000 sq miles) and is home to more than 40% of India’s 1.3 billion-strong population.
fact
“People think Ganga can take care of my sins, can take care of anything, and they forget that while Ganga can take care of your sins it cannot take care of your waste, of your pollution.”
indication of a leader knowing science vs tradition
Hindus revere the Ganges as a god. They believe she came down from heaven to cleanse the Earth, and that bathing in her waters can wash away a person’s sins.
Clear indication of Ganges as a god.
Ma Ganga, it is known in Hindi: “Mother Ganges”. It’s an apt name - the Ganges has nurtured and supported the rise of Indian civilisation.
origin fact
The Ganges is revered in India but it is also the sewer that carries away the waste from the 450 million people who live in its catchment area.
fact
"Importance of 'Mother Ganga'" (232-233) super important general facts.
"Led by and influential local religious leader...in this regard" (230)
Precedent for local leaders to clean up the river.
"but religion...each other" quote showing interconnectedness between culture, religion, and social.
"Wheras the pollution...as such a threat" (16).
The reason that the population let the Ganges get so out of control is because there is no religious enemy that can be pinned with the crime.
"If Indians...nourishing entire basin" (500)
Direct mention of Ganges, shows exactly how Indian culture can impact the Ganges.
"The Yamuna....the waste of industry" (p 499). Excellent info on industrial waste on tributary of Ganges.
how to approach relationships between Environment and Relgion. (p 1&2)
In Hinduism, victims of leprosy, as well as dead children and animals, are not cremated. Those bodies are thrown into the river.
Why leprosy?
Pathak said the family never seriously considered using the electric crematorium down the river. "Her body must be finished in wood, with natural fire, not electricty,"
Government obviously ignoring culture.
"People believe they will go directly to heaven if their bodies are placed in the Ganges," said G.S. Randhawa, spokesman for the Ministry of Environment and Forests. "We cannot stop them from acting on these essential beliefs. It's part of the Hindu religion and part of the culture."
Religious reasons for polluting the river go unpunished.
chromium
Causes lung cancer and skin problems, toxic.
The government limit for coliform in rivers is 500 mpn/100ml. At no time in 2010 were coliform levels at the confluence, where millions bathe each year, lower than 5,500 mpn/100ml.
Coliform levels were 30x greater than what the government said was healthy
increased from an average of 3.5 milligrams per liter to nearly 5 mg/l between 2006 and 2011. The government limit is 3 mg/l.
Data.