- Total distance covered by the river is 400,000 square miles.
- The River covers 29 cities having a population of more than 100,000, flows through 23 cities having population between 50,000 and 100,000 and near about 48 towns.
- The Ganga is considered as the holiest river in India with massive spiritual, religious and ritual significance. Near about 40% of Indian population survive on Ganga by using its water.
- The Ganges tolerate domestic waste such as defecation, untreated industrial waste, and pollution during religious events. Every day 1.7 billion liters of such waste run into the river. Near about 89 million liters of sewage is disposed off in the river daily.
- The Ganges is one of the most polluted rivers in India in which level of pollutants is more than 3000 times than the permissible limit defined by the WHO as ‘safe’.
- As per studies carried out by the Uttarakhand Environment Conservation and Pollution Control Board, the Ganges water near Haridwar has Coliform bacteria at 5,500 level which is 100 times more than the permissible limit.
- Directly pouring human feces, urine and sewage into river is the major reason of this rise. Coliform bacteria is found human colons but become highly hazardous when found in water or food.
- Half-burned or unburned human dead bodies as well as animal carcasses are thrown into the river.
- Harmful pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture run-offs pollute the water.
- The water of this holy river has become unfit for drinking, bathing and not even safe for agriculture purposes.
- Mercury has also been found in the Ganga River water in the study conducted by the Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Patna University.
- Though mercury contamination has not reached to an alarming level but its presence is still worrisome.
- In spite of all the plans, actions, schemes and funds, the River Ganga is still polluted.