The Ganges, 1st ed. 2021
Cultural, Economic and Environmental Significance
Springer Geography Series

?The Ganges: Cultural, Economic, and Environmental Importance? is a geographical, cultural, economic, and environmental interpretation of the Ganga River. The Ganga River originates from Gaumukh- situated in the high Himalaya, flows through the world?s biggest fertile alluvial plain, and inlets into the Bay of Bengal at Ganga Sagar. It makes a unique natural and cultural landscape and is believed to be the holiest river of India. The Hindus called it ?Mother Ganga? and worship it. The towns/cities, situated on its bank, are world-famous and are known as the highland and valley pilgrimages. The water of the Ganga is pious, and the Hindus use it on different occasions while performing the rituals and customs. This book is unique because no previous study which presents a complete and comprehensive geographical description of the Ganga has been composed. This book presents the historical and cultural significance of the Ganga and its tributaries. Empirical, archival, and observation methods were applied to conduct this study. There are a total of 10 chapters in this book such as ?Introduction?, ?the Ganga Basin?, ?Geography of the Ganga Basin?, ?the Ganges System: Ganga and its Tributaries?, ?Ganga between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi?, ?the Major Cultural Towns?, ?Major Fairs and Festivals?, ?Economic Significance of the Ganga?, ?Environmental Issues?, and ?Conclusions?. The contents of the book are enriched by 89 figures, 15 tables, and substantial citations and references. 

List of Figures

Glossary and Abbreviation

Chapter 1: Introduction

Abstract

1.1 Origin and Extension of the Ganga River

1.2 Historical Perspectives of the Ganga

1.3 Cultural and Economic Importance of the Ganga

1.4 Importance of Water in Hindu Scriptures

1.5 Description of the Ganga in Hindus Religious Wisdom

1.6 Objectives and Significance of the Study

1.7 Organization of the Study

References

Chapter 2: The Ganga Basin

Abstract

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Salient Features of the Ganga and its Tributaries

2.3 State-Wise Distribution of Drainage Area

2.4 Area, Population, and Density of the Ganga Basin

2.5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 3: Geography of the Ganga Basin

Abstract

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Climate

3.3 Faunal Resources

3.4 Floral Resources

3.5 Ganga’s Topography

3.5.2 The Second Stage (Mature)

3.5.3 Third Stage (Old Stage)

3.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 4: The Ganga and its Tributaries

Abstract

4.1 Introduction

4.2 The Ganga River

4.3 The Yamuna River

4.4 Tons River

4.5 The Bhilangana River

4.6 The Alaknanda River

4.7 The Saraswati River

4.8 The Dhauli Ganga

4.9 The Nandakini River

4.10 The Pindar River

4.12 Kali Ganga

4.13 Son Ganga

4.14 Madhyamaheshwar Ganga   

4.15 The Nayar River (E)

4.16 The Nayar River (W)

4.17 Ramganga (W)

4.18 The Kosi River

4.19 The Kali River

4.20 The Dhauli Ganga (E)

4.21 The Goriganga

4.22 The Ramganga (E)

4.23 The Saryu River

4.24 The Gomati River

4.25 Conclusions

References

Chapter 5: The Ganga between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi

Abstract

5.1 Introduction  

5.2 A Journey from Uttarkashi to Gangotri

5.3 Case Study of Some Important Villages

5.3.1 Gaumukh

5.3.2 Gangotri

5.3.3 Bhaironghati

5.3.4 Lanka

5.3.5 Mukhimath (Mukhawa)

5.3.6 Dharali

5.3.7 Harshil

5.3.9 Sukhi

5.3.10 Gangnani

5.3.11 Bhatwadi

5.4 Conclusion

References

 Chapter 6: The Major Cultural Towns

 Abstract

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Major Cultural Towns Situated on the Bank of the Ganga

6.2.1 Gaumukh

6.2.2 Gangotri

6.2.3 Uttarkashi

6.2.4 Devprayag

6.2.5 Rishikesh

6.2.6 Haridwar

6.2.7 Prayagraj

6.2.8 Varanasi

6.2.9 Gangasagar

6.3 Other Major Cultural Towns Situated on the Tributaries of the Ganga

6.3.1 Kedarnath

6.3.2 Badrinath

6.3.3 The Main Prayags

6.3.4 Yamunotri

6.3.5 Hanol

6.3.6 Bageshwar

6.3.7 Jageshwar

6.4 Some Important Tirthas on the Bank of the Ganga

6.5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 7: Major Fairs and Festivals

 Abstract

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Important Fairs and Festivals

7.2.1 Magh Mela

7.2.2 Kumbh Mela

7.2.3 Baishakhi

7.2.4 Akshaya Tritiya

7.2.5 Ganga Dashami/Dussehra

7.2.6 Kanwar Yatra

7.2.7      Ganga Mahotsav

7.3 Conclusions

Chapter 8: Economic Significance of the Ganga

 Abstract

8.2 Ganga: The Life Line of India

8.3 The Agro-climatic Zones and Agricultural Development

8.4 Hydroelectricity Power Potential

References

Chapter 9: Environmental Issues in the Ganga Basin

Abstract

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Construction of Hydropower Projects

9.3 Increasing Pollution in the Ganga

9.4 Pollution in Ganga Water and its Impact

9.5 Conservation of the Ganga River

9.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 10: Conclusions

10.2 Natural and Economic Importance

10.3 Issues of Environmental Degradation

Presents a unique empirical and archival data-based study on The Ganges

Highlights The Ganges economic, cultural, and environmental importance

Is useful resource to the scholars, researchers, academicians, and students interested in fluvial and integrated geography