The Fractured Lifeline
With its headwaters in the himalayas, the third largest reservoir of ice in the planet, and its outlet in the Bay of Bengal which opens into the Indian ocean, the Ganges Basin opens windows into almost every aspect of environmental change ocurring across the globe. Exposed to planetary winds and ocean currents of the Indo Pacific ocean through the Bay of Bengal it is frequented by cyclones every year. Devastating floods ravage the plains during the monsoons leaving the rural populace helpless. Major cities, hundreds of towns and numerous villages are dotted over this 1.08 million square kilometre spread. The deterioration of surface and ground water quality has been detrimental to public health throughout the region. The high fecal colicorm counts, resistant metal ions and detection of antibiotic resistant microbial strains have raised serious concerns about access to safe drinking water for the millions of people whose lives are inextricably linked to this ancient river system. The pollution also threatens 140 species of fish, 90 species of amphibians, notably including the Ganges river dolphin, an endangered species. It is a major source of global ocean plastic pollution being the largest single outlet of inland water into the the sea, exceeding the Amazon discharge by 1.5 times. The region is the largest and most densely populated settlement of the worlds’ poor, home to 620 million people, that is almost double the entire population of the USA, and therefore enhanced and accelerated impact of climate change and environmental degradation on disadvantaged sections can be closely studied here. This information is available on the internet at the FAO Aquastat (http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/basins/gbm/index.stm) and in several academic publications.
In contrast to the sparsely populated Amazon basin with its largely preserved forest cover, the Ganges basin, though richly endowed in natural resources, has born the brunt of frantic industrialisation and urbanisation, while retaining its cultural importance as the primary lifeline of an agricultural society. Civilisation of old has flourished on the bounty provided by the mighty river, and damage to the riverine ecosystems would affect the economic stability of the entire region. Conversely, timely action could save the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. The aim of this project is to document the changing faces of the river ganges and its impact on the lives of the people who live on its banks. The work would spread over 3 countries, Bangladesh, India and Nepal starting from the settlements at the river delta through the agricultural lands of the North Indian and Nepali plains, into the hills of the north. In documenting environmental change on the Ganges basin, the extent of the damage done and its short term and long term impacts, we would like to focus our lens on the most vulnerable sections that are being affected.
In contrast to the sparsely populated Amazon basin with its largely preserved forest cover, the Ganges basin, though richly endowed in natural resources, has born the brunt of frantic industrialisation and urbanisation, while retaining its cultural importance as the primary lifeline of an agricultural society. Civilisation of old has flourished on the bounty provided by the mighty river, and damage to the riverine ecosystems would affect the economic stability of the entire region. Conversely, timely action could save the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. The aim of this project is to document the changing faces of the river ganges and its impact on the lives of the people who live on its banks. The work would spread over 3 countries, Bangladesh, India and Nepal starting from the settlements at the river delta through the agricultural lands of the North Indian and Nepali plains, into the hills of the north. In documenting environmental change on the Ganges basin, the extent of the damage done and its short term and long term impacts, we would like to focus our lens on the most vulnerable sections that are being affected.
