Our National River Ganga ─ Lifeline of Millions

There is a plethora of information available on the river Ganga in the form of books, blogs, articles, websites, videos. Unfortunately, most of the information about this famous river is in a scattered form and reproduced from unverified sources. This contributed volume is the first multi-author volume publication on this subject. The River Ganga includes a vast array of topics written by several authors of distinction. Topics include; hydrology, tributaries, water uses, and environmental features such as river water quality, aquatic and terrestrial flora/fauna, natural resources, ecological characteristics, sensitive environmental components and more. Part I gives a basic introduction of the Ganga river. The existing data and available information from various sources has been compiled in a pictorial fashion in the form of cmaps. Its cultural importance with changing times is also discussed. Part II looks at the rich biodiversity of the Ganga Basin. It gives a detailed description of the major floral and faunal biodiversity with special emphasis on the national aquatic animal dolphin and Sunderbans, the largest mangrove wetland in the world. Part III examines ‘The Ganga Water as it flows’. It focuses on the water quality as well as its associated challenges. Part IV looks at the complexities of issues confronting the river ‘Ganga in changing times’ be it snowmelt runoff, river bank erosion hazards and hydropower assessments; how the factors of population, poverty and pollution contribute to the fate of the river. Part IV touches on economic aspects derived from the river such as business opportunities and tourism.

There is a plethora of information available on India’s national yet endangered river Ganga in the form of books, reports, publications, blogs, articles, websites, videos etc. Although much research has been carried out on specific aspects of the river, it is in isolated stretches over different time periods. As a result most of the information about this famous river is in a scattered form and many times reproduced from unverified sources. This volume is the first multi-author contributed volume publication on this subject. It is an effort to bring together under an umbrella a vast array of topics written by several authors of distinction. Though it was not possible to cover all the aspects of the vast river system, an attempt has been made to cover the major aspects ranging from cultural, biodiversity, hydrology, livelihood and tourism with a brief insight into the problems and possible solutions proposed by some authors. Part I gives a basic introduction of the Ganga River. The existing data and available information from various sources has been compiled in a pictorial fashion in the form of cmaps in the introductory chapter. Its cultural importance with changing times is also discussed. Part II looks at the rich biodiversity of the Ganga Basin. It gives a detailed description of the major floral and faunal biodiversity with special emphasis on the national aquatic animal dolphin and Sunderbans, the largest mangrove wetland in the world. Part III examines ‘The Ganga Water as it flows’ focusing on the water quality as well as its associated challenges. Part IV looks at the complexities of issues confronting the river ‘Ganga in changing times’ be it snowmelt runoff, river bank erosion hazards or hydropower assessments. Part V touches on economic aspects derived from the river such as business opportunities and tourism. Part VI includes the voice of some Ganga lovers who have worked on issues concerning the river and feel passionately bonded to the river.