gange

Gange, known in English as the Ganges, is a major river in the northern Indian subcontinent. The name Ganga derives from Sanskrit Gaṅgā, and in Hindu tradition the river is personified as the goddess Ganga, central to many religious practices and rites.

Geography and course: The Gange originates in the western Himalayas in Uttarakhand and is formed at Devprayag by the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers. It flows southeast through the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, and then enters Bangladesh, where part of its flow contributes to the Padma and Meghna river systems before reaching the Bay of Bengal. The river’s basin covers a large, densely populated area and supports extensive agricultural activity.

Hydrology and ecology: The river runs about 2,525 kilometers in length and has several major tributaries, including the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Koshi, and Son. The Gange basin hosts diverse ecosystems, including the endangered Ganges river dolphin, numerous fish species, and important wetland habitats. The delta region near its mouth supports extensive biodiversity and is a key agricultural and fishing zone.

Human use and challenges: The Gange is a vital source of drinking water, irrigation, and industry for hundreds of millions of people. It faces pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff, as well as issues from damming and overextraction. Government programs, such as the Ganga Action Plan (1985) and the Namami Gange initiative (launched in 2014), aim to reduce pollution and restore river health.

Cultural significance: The river is sacred in Hinduism, with major pilgrimage sites such as Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. Bathing in the Gange is believed to cleanse sins, and traditional rites accompany many life ceremonies along its banks.