Issues:
1. Human and Animal Bodies: countless bodies are thrown whole or partially-burned into the Ganga every day, leading to serious public health concerns.
2. Inadequate Infrastructure: The majority of the municipalities lining the Ganga and Her tributaries do not have adequate solid waste disposal facilities. Plastic bags, which clog drains and kill cows and wildlife, are of particular concern.
Solutions:
1. Eco-Crematoriums: Such as the less wood-consuming models produced by the NGO, Mokshda, which uses 70% less wood while also allowing the appropriate religious rituals to be performed, should be propagated throughout the Ganga River Basin. Additionally, Animal Incinerators should be made widely-available, for use by all.
2. Cremation Assistance Programs: Should be offered to the needy, so that bodies may be fully-cremated rather than placed whole into our drinking water sources by people who can’t afford wood.
3. Redouble Efforts to Ensure Solid Waste Capacity is Met by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Energy-producing methods and recycling must be promoted to help ensure that O&M can be sustained for the long-term. To help in these efforts, bans on plastic bags, which have been mandated by the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) rules of 2011, should be upheld and enforced.