The Ganges River
Intriguing India
Physical Feautures
The Ganges river flows through the Northern Indian Subcontinent for 1,560 miles. It is considered a relatively small river, although it gains more water where it meets with its tributaries. In July and September, the rainy season, monsoons also effect the water level, and sometimes cause flooding.
Effect on the Enviroment
Since the Ganges River is surrounded by a large amount of inhabitants on its Basin, sewage is constantly poured into the river. Sadly, most of it is untreated and contains harmful toxins such as arsenic. Several organizations were formed to clean up the river, but they were critiqued for being inactive for years, and were deemed as failures.
Religious Impact
The Ganges river is considered to be the one of the holy rivers in Hinduism. In the months of Februrary and January, where the Ganges River and the Yamuna River meet, a mela or the act of immersing one self in the river is held. This shows respect for the holiness of the river.