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Mount Everest has long been a destination for climbers and adventure-seekers. But more than a bucket-list checkoff, the highest point in the world is hugely important to scientists studying climate change.
Scientists with the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition are researching climate change, weather, water resources, and changes to plant, insect, and wildlife populations. A river is a large, natural stream of flowing water. Rivers are found on every continent and on nearly every kind of land. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students.
Skip to content. Image Ganges River Delta The Ganges Ganga River and its surrounding watershed supports one of the most fertile and densely populated regions on the planet, and its intricate web of waterways offered a stunning view to the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS Photograph by NASA.
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Classroom. Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary. Ganges River. This region is a highly fertile sediment-laden area that covers 23, square miles 59, sq km. It should be noted that the course of the Ganges River described in the above paragraphs is a general description of the river's route from its source where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers join to its outlet at the Bay of Bengal.
The Ganges has very complicated hydrology, and there are several different descriptions of its overall length and the size of its drainage basin based on what tributary rivers are included. The most widely accepted length of the Ganges River is 1, miles 2, km , and its drainage basin is estimated to be about , square miles 1,, sq km. The Ganges River basin has been inhabited by humans since ancient times. The first people in the region were of the Harappan civilization.
In modern times, the Ganges River has become a source of life for the nearly million people living in its basin. They rely on the river for their daily needs such as drinking water supplies and food and for irrigation and manufacturing. Today, the Ganges River basin is the most populated river basin in the world. It has a population density of about 1, people per square mile per sq km. Aside from providing drinking water and irrigating fields, the Ganges River is extremely important to India's Hindu population for religious reasons as well.
The Ganges River is considered their most sacred river, and it is worshiped as the goddess Ganga Ma or "Mother Ganges. According to the Myth of the Ganges, the goddess Ganga descended from heaven to dwell in the waters of the Ganges River to protect, purify and bring to heaven those who touch it. Devout Hindus visit the river daily to offer flowers and food to Ganga. They also drink the water and bathe in the river to cleanse and purify their sins.
Hindus believe that upon death the waters of the Ganges River are needed to reach the World of the Ancestors, Pitriloka. As a result, Hindus bring their dead to the river for cremation along its banks and afterward their ashes are spread in the river. In some cases, corpses are also thrown into the river.
The city of Varanasi is the holiest of cities along the Ganges River and many Hindus travel there to place ashes of their dead in the river. Along with daily baths in the Ganges River and offerings to the goddess Ganga, there are large religious festivals that occur in the river throughout the year where millions of people travel to the river to bathe so that they can be purified of their sins.
Despite the religious significance and daily importance of the Ganges River for the people of India, it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Pollution of the Ganges is caused by both human and industrial waste due to India's rapid growth as well as religious events. India currently has a population of over 1 billion people, and million of them live in the Ganges River basin.
As a result, much of their waste, including raw sewage, is dumped into the river. Also, many people bathe and use the river to clean their laundry. Fecal coliform bacteria levels near Varanasi are at least 3, times higher than what is established by the World Health Organization as safe Hammer, There are now thousands of people doing just that: concerned citizens trained to gather water quality data and farmers helping to protect turtle eggs; collect rubbish; and 'baal mitras' are 'young friends' who get involved for example in releasing new turtle hatchings.
Awareness-raising and political activity are important elements of the programme. Reducing elephant conflict with people Read More. The Ganges river basin is home to more than million people but the river is in trouble. We've developed tools to help businesses identify their water risks and opportunities, and get involved in water stewardship.
Business, communities and ecosystems are exposed to the same water challenges. That's why we see business as a key ally in helping us find solutions through water stewardship. We're working with communities, governments and businesses across the world to promote joined-up approaches to water management. There are around 50, large dams currently in operation and millions of smaller ones throughout the world. We're working to make sure dams are carefully planned and managed so their negative impact is reduced.
Fundraising Block. Adopt Please select an elephant a lion a panda a turtle an african rhino an orangutan a dolphin an amur leopard a gorilla a snow leopard a polar bear a penguin a jaguar. Choose monthly donation Prefer a one-off donation? Choose one-off donation Prefer a monthly donation? The Ganges.
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