The End of the Ganges? The Receding Gangotri Glacier.
Climate change is causing the source of the river Ganges at Gangotri in the Himalayas to dry up.
The 1568 mile long river holds deep religious significance for India’s 800 million Hindus and its demise would cause consternation for the numerous religious traditions connected to the river.
The Gangotri glacier, which provides 70% of the water of Ganges is shrinking at the rate of 25 meters each year. One report suggests that the Gangotri glacier will disappear by 2035.
The shrinking glacier could have a huge affect on Asia’s water supply with India taking water for 500 million people for drinking and farming purposes.
Large areas of Bangladesh are solely dependent on the Ganges for fresh water and the huge Sundarban mangrove forest at the mouth of the Ganges could be affected.
Scientists predict that if global warming continues this century the Ganges will become a seasonal river dependant on the monsoons for its water.