Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Understanding the threats and challenges concerning Ganges River basin for effective policy recommendations towards sustainable development

  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present work emphasizes the need for sustainable river basin planning and management, which is considered as a pre-requisite for socioeconomic and cultural development of a nation. Since the pollution and abstraction of riverine water resources for various purposes are inevitable, an effective decision-making and policy implementation are needed to strike a balance between the development and sustainability. Keeping these concerns in view, the study provides a novel decision-making approach for rejuvenating major river across the globe by trying to achieve following objectives: (a) providing a scientific in-depth discussion about the inter-related and complex threats and challenges; (b) assessing the success and limitations of earlier and recent programmes initiated by government for rejuvenating river basin; (c) developing strength–weakness–opportunities–threats matrix to derive policies; and (d) procuring the opinions of multiple stakeholders at all levels to suggest best strategies for reaching sustainability goals. A case study of one of the heavily polluted river basins of the world, namely Ganges, India, has been considered for demonstrating the decision-making approach. The study proposes certain modifications in the current policies, and also some innovative strategic policies are recommended to strengthen the task of achieving development of the river basin in an integrated and sustainable manner.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Source NMCG (2017)

Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Source NMCG (2017)

Fig. 18
Fig. 19

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahluwalia, S. S., & Goyal, D. (2013). Microbial waste biomass for removal of chromium (VI) from chrome effluent. Bioremediation Journal,17(3), 190–199. https://doi.org/10.1080/10889868.2013.807770.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alam, P., & Ahmade, K. (2013). Impact of solid waste on health and the environment. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Green Economics,2(1), 165–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baki, M. A., Bhouiyan, N. A., Islam, Md S, et al. (2017). Present status of Ganges River Dolphins platanista gangetica gangetica in the Turag River, Dhaka, Bangladesh. International Journal of Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8964821.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basak, S., Sarkar, A., Ghosh, R., & Chaudhuri, A. (2015). Ghats of Varanasi—An Emerging Centre of Pollution. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science,20(9), 19–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bose. (2014). Ganga: An inclusive multi-stakeholder approach. Mumbai: Yes Bank Limited & TERI BCSD.

    Google Scholar 

  • CPCB. (2013). Pollution assessment: River Ganga. New Delhi: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

    Google Scholar 

  • CPCB. (2016). Restoration/rejuvenation of river ganga suggestions/proposals for phase-i, segment ‘b’ (Haridwar down to Kanpur down). New Delhi: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crichlow, M. (2001). Professional development programme: Coastal infrastructure design. St Augustine: Construction and Maintenance. Integrated Watershed Management, The University of the West Indies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuerva, L. G., Berglund, E. Z., & Binder, A. R. (2016). Public perceptions of water shortages, conservation behaviors, and support for water reuse in the U.S. Resources, Conservation and Recycling,113, 106–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CWC. (2016). Annual report. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Central Water Commission (CWC), New Delhi, India.

  • CWPRS. (2017). Report of the committee constituted for preparation of guidelines for works on de-siltation from Bhimgauda to Farraka. New Delhi: Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ejechi, B. O., & Akpomie, O. O. (2016). Removal of Cr(VI) from Tannery effluent and aqueous solution by sequential treatment with Microfungi and Basidiomycete-degraded Sawdust. Journal of Environmental Protection,7, 771–777. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2016.76069.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fang, K., Sivakumar, B., & Woldemeskel, F. M. (2017). Complex networks, community structure, and catchment classification in a large-scale river basin. Journal of Hydrology,545, 478–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GAP. (2015). Ganga Action Parivar (GAP) annual report. https://www.gangaaction.org/publications/GAPAnnualReport2015.pdf. Accessed April 10, 2019.

  • Gomiero, T., Pimentel, D., & Paoletti, M. G. (2011). Environmental impact of different agricultural management practices: Conventional vs. organic agriculture. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences,30(1-2), 95–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, X., Liu, Z., Chen, M., et al. (2014). Decentralized wastewater treatment technologies and management in Chinese villages. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering,8(6), 926–936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, B., Alre, H. F., & Kristensen, E. S. (2001). Approaches to assess the environmental impact of organic farming with particular regard to Denmark. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment,83(1–2), 11–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harder, R., Wielemaker, R., Larsen, T. A., Zeeman, G., & Öberg, G. (2019). Recycling nutrients contained in human excreta to agriculture: Pathways, processes, and products. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2018.1558889.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, P. R., Sayre, K., & Gupta, R. (2008). The role of conservation agriculture in sustainable agriculture. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society,363(1491), 543–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Homa, D., Haile, E., & Washe, A. P. (2016). Determination of spatial chromium contamination of the environment around industrial zones. International Journal of Analytical Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7214932.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, M. D. (2017). Water management in India: The multiplicity of views and solutions. International Journal of Water Resources Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2017.1351333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lagendijk, V. (2016). Europe’s Rhine power: Connections, borders, and flows. Water History,8, 23–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamond, J., Bhattacharya, N., & Bloch, R. (2012). The role of solid waste management as a response to urban flood risk in developing countries. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment,159, 193–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lokgariwar, C., Chopra, R., Smakhtin, V., Bharati, L., & O’Keeffe, J. (2014). Including cultural water requirements in environmental flow assessment: An example from the upper Ganga River, India. Water International,39(1), 81–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margerum, R. D., & Whitall, D. (2004). The challenges and implications of collaborative management on a river basin scale. Environmental Planning and Management,47(3), 409–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matamoros, V., & Salvado, V. (2012). Evaluation of the seasonal performance of a water reclamation pond-constructed wetland system for removing emerging contaminants. Chemosphere,86(2), 111–117.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mazumder, S. K. (2004). Role of Farakka barrage on the disastrous 1998 Flood in Malda (West Bengal). The Ganges Water Diversion: Environmental Effects and Implications (p. 49). Dordrecht: Water Science and Technology Library.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzorana, B., Nardini, A., Comiti, F., Vignoli, G., Cook, E., et al. (2017). Toward participatory decision-making in river corridor management: Two case studies from the European Alps. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Misgan, S. (2013). The Nile basin states: The need for genuine cooperation. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa press.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoWR. (2017). Annual report on Committee on estimates. Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, New Delhi, India.

  • Mthembu, M. S., Odinga, C. A., Swalaha, F. M., & Bux, F. (2013). Constructed wetlands: A future alternative wastewater treatment technology. African Journal of Biotechnology,12(29), 4542–4553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NFHS. (2015). National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4). New Delhi: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • NGT. (2017). Judgement of the National Green Tribunal regarding Ganga river pollution. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/445260/judgement-of-the-national-green-tribunal-regarding-ganga-river-pollution. Accessed 13 July 2017.

  • NMCG. (2017). Hybrid annuity-based PPP model for creation of sewage treatment infrastructure. New Delhi: Ministry of water resources, River Development and Ganga rejuvenation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nooij, R. J. W. D., Lotterman, K. M., Sande, P. H. J. V., Pelsma, T., et al. (2006). Validity and sensitivity of a model for assessment of impacts of river floodplain reconstruction on protected and endangered species. Environmental Impact Assessment Review,26(8), 677–695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly, K., Dhanju, R., & Goel, A. (2017). Exploring ‘‘The Remote” and ‘‘The Rural”: Open defecation and Latrine use in Uttarakhand, India. World Development,93, 193–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly, K., & Louis, E. (2014). The toilet tripod: Understanding successful sanitation in rural India. Health and Place,29, 43–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OzGREEN. (2015). Annual report. https://www.ozgreen.org. Accessed April 10, 2019.

  • Pandey, J., & Singh, R. (2017). Heavy metals in sediments of Ganga River: Up- and downstream urban influences. Applied Water Science,7(4), 1669–1678.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, D. (2017). Research on heavy metal pollution of river Ganga: A review. Annals of Agrarian Science,15(2), 278–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad, A., Singh, R., Kafatos, M., & Singh, A. (2005). Effect of the growing population on the air pollution, climatic variability and hydrological regime of the Ganga basin, India. Regional Hydrological Impacts of Climatic Change—Impact Assessment and Decision Making,295, 139–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman, M. M., & Rahaman, M. M. (2017). Impacts of Farakka barrage on hydrological flow of Ganges River and environment in Bangladesh. Sustainable Water Resource Management. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-017-0163-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanctis, D. M., Del Moro, G., Chimienti, S., Ritelli, P., Levantesi, C., & Di Iaconi, C. (2017). Removal of pollutants and pathogens by a simplified treatment scheme for municipal wastewater reuse in agriculture. Science of the Total Environment, 580, 17–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schletterer, M., Shaporenko, S. I., Kuzovlev, V. V., Minin, A. E., Van Geest, G. J., Middelkoop, H., et al. (2018). The Volga: Management issues in the largest river basin in Europe. River Research and Applications,1, 2. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, P. (2016). Energy demand of decentralized STPs and application of solar PV modules. Journal of Advanced Research in Science and Engineering,5(1), 816–822.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A. P., Ghosh, S. K., & Sharma, P. (2007). Water quality management of a stretch of river Yamuna: An interactive fuzzy multi-objective approach. Water Resources Management, 21(2), 515–532. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-006-9028-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A. P., Srinivas, R., Kumar, S., & Chakrabarti, S. (2015). Water quality assessment of a river basin under Fuzzy multi-criteria framework. International Journal of Water,9(3), 226–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Souza-Filho, P. W. M., de Souza, E. B., Júnior, R. O. S., Nascimento, W. R., Jr., de Mendonça, B. R. V., Guimarães, J. T. F., et al. (2016). Four decades of land-cover, land-use and hydroclimatology changes in the Itacaiúnas River watershed, southeastern Amazon. Journal of Environmental Management,167, 175–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivas, R., & Singh, A. P. (2017). Development of a comprehensive fuzzy based approach for evaluating sustainability and self-purifying capacity of river Ganges. ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 24(2), 131–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/09715010.2017.1400407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivas, R., & Singh, A. P. (2018). An integrated fuzzy based advanced eutrophication simulation model to develop best management scenarios for a river basin. Environmental Science and Pollution Research,25(9), 9012–9039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1206-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivas, R., Singh, A. P., & Deshmukh, A. (2018). Development of a HEC-HMS based watershed modelling system for identification, allocation and optimization of reservoirs in a river basin. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment,190, 31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6418-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivas, R., Singh, A. P., & Sharma, R. (2017). A scenario-based impact assessment of trace metals on ecosystem of river Ganges using multivariate analysis coupled with fuzzy decision-making approach. Water Resources Management,31(3), 4165–4185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-017-1738-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UPJN, NMCG, UPPCB, & CPCB. (2016). Assessment of pollution of drains carrying sewage/industrial effluent joining River Ganga and its tributaries. A joint report by Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (UPJN), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), Lucknow and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) New Delhi, India.

  • Villar, P. C., Ribeiro, W. C., & Sant’Anna, F. M. (2018). Transboundary governance in the La Plata River basin: Status and prospects. Water International,43(7), 978–995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WWF. (2017). World Wide Fund (WWF) freshwater case study. https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2017-06/170616_Ganga_Mitras_CS-external.pdf. Accessed April 10, 2019.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are also thankful to Central Water Commission (CWC), Lucknow, UP, India, and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi, India, for sharing information on river Ganges. All references cited in the text have provided the detailed insight of this important research and therefore are greatly acknowledged. We also express our sincere thanks to the anonymous reviewers and editors for their valuable comments and time.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ajit Pratap Singh.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendix 1

Appendix 1

figure a

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Srinivas, R., Singh, A.P. & Shankar, D. Understanding the threats and challenges concerning Ganges River basin for effective policy recommendations towards sustainable development. Environ Dev Sustain 22, 3655–3690 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-019-00361-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-019-00361-0

Keywords

Navigation