Environmental Issues in South Asia January 12, 2015

The Ganges River The Ganges River flows 1600 miles through India and Bangladesh. It provides a water supply and a mode of transportation to almost 400 million people However, it is becoming polluted for several different reasons In spite of the pollution, many Indians bathe in the river They also use it for drinking and cooking

Causes of Pollution in the Ganges River Chemicals from fertilizer and industries wash into the river Human and animal waste Bodies of dead animals Cremated remains of human beings are scattered in the river for spiritual reasons

Trying to clean up the Ganges In 1985, the Ganges Action Plan was put in place to try to clean up the river However, the growing population of India and run-off from industries and farms have made clean-up efforts almost impossible As a result, people living along the Ganges suffer from water-born illnesses, such as dysentery and typhoid, that they got from using the river water Both of these diseases affect the digestive system in a person and can lead to death.

Air Pollution in India Air pollution is one of India’s most serious environmental problems Some parts of India experience some of the heaviest air pollution in the world There are many different causes of air pollution

Causes of air pollution in India Automobiles for a large population Industrial smoke People using wood or coal to cook over an open fire

Trying to stop air pollution Unfortunately, many people in India are unwilling to take steps to stop air pollution They need the industries for jobs, the fires for food, and the cars to get around As a result, Indians have some of the highest rates of respiratory (lung) diseases in the world

Questions 1. What does the Ganges River supply to the people of India and Bangladesh? 2. How else do Indians use the Ganges? 3. What are 4 reasons why the Ganges is polluted? 4. What makes cleaning up the Ganges almost impossible? 5. What do people living along the river suffer from? 6. What are 3 causes of air pollution in India? 7. Why are Indians unwilling to try and stop air pollution? 8. What types of diseases are high in Indians because of air pollution?