According to a study, severe arsenic contamination in the Ganga River Bhasin poses a challenge for clean drinking water in the Gangasagar area.
According to a study, severe arsenic contamination in the Ganga River Bhasin poses a challenge for clean drinking water in the Gangasagar area. Gangasagar, also known as the Gangasagar pilgrimage in West Bengal, is the second biggest congregation of Hindu pilgrims and primarily attracts pilgrims from all over India. The holy Ganga River passing by the Gangasagar pilgrimage is infamous for carrying arsenic contamination. According to a study published in 2018, 14 out of 19 districts in West Bengal, including Gangasagar, hold arsenic in their groundwater. Arsenic, a highly toxic substance, can be detrimental to health. Exposure to drinking water containing arsenic can cause cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological diseases. The Namami Gange program launched by the National Mission for Clean Ganga is an initiative to clean river Ganga. The project was due to be completed by December 2020. However, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) revealed that achieving the ongoing project remains a challenge, despite the funds' availability. Therefore, arsenic contamination in the Ganga River Bhasin poses a challenge for clean drinking water in the Gangasagar area.
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