Management challenges of Ganga River

Question

Dear Colleagues, from your experience, what are the main challenges in the management of Ganga River, for example:
 
Climate change impactGovernance system between StatesEconomic priorities for industrial developmentLack of scientific dataOthers

Peter Styles · Answer

Uday - you put your finger on part of the problem. India would always prefer to research the problem rather than get on with solving it.

UDAY PRASAD · Answer

I would like to add another perspective. Water quality of the large surface bodies, like river Ganga is influenced by factors such as seasonality, location and flow. Low concentration of contamination will be observed at the time when the river carries large volume of water and opposite when smaller volume of water is present.
The national government is running a large programme for development and rejuvenation of the river. Institutes like IIT kanpur has done extensive research by gathering data from the multiple locations. Hence, lack of scientific data is not the reason.
Broadly, it is inadequate capacities of the urban local bodies to process the waste has led to current challenges.  Thus,  technical management and governance can improve the condition.

Peter Styles · Answer

Ask yourself a simple question: would the Ganga be in this (dreadful) state if it flowed through China? And answer it: no. Then ask yourself why would things be different? The Chinese have the organisation and the incentive to solve such problems as this but the Government of India has not. My personal experience, working in India, is that personal objectives will always overcome those concerned with the greater good.

Iouri Vaisman · Answer

Governance system is typically the major challenge. Coordination between all the stakeholders is complex. Plus - the historical and cultural significance of Ganga River to various and varying groups. Technically - all is achievable, the social and political interactions are the main challenge. Given the vector of development - something needs to be done there. Most likely it will be a staged plan.

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