The most important issue in cleaning the Ganges seems to be the need to improve sewage systems in the lower income villages. According to one of the articles, a lot of work is already being put into making sure that happens. The government is reimbursing people who put toilets into their homes. Medical professions could help in education on the sanitation and use of toilets. When people come in with illnesses due to water quality, physicians can help talk to patients about installing toilets into their homes. As leader of medical action committee, more can be done to spread education about water quality issues and how to avoid them. Mr. Mishra can be important in spreading practice changes to religious ceremonies. Small changes could be made like pouring ash in the more turbulent part of the river and not the stagnant part. That and sewage can be put more downstream of the spiritual bathing and drinking. Other stakeholders such as the mayor of Varanasi should push to make the cleanliness of the river an issue for all religions and people in that area, not just those practicing hinduism. The prime minister of India today seems to be taking initiative to clean the Ganges but maybe not as efficiently as some would hope. One article said how he is adding more electric power houses though many of the already existing ones are not taken care of or functioning throughout the year. Actions should be taken to avoid flooding of these areas and have jobs for people to take care of the facilities year-round. The need for filtering the water is also important to be addressed and can be done so by political officials or WHO and the local physician leader. The Ganges River is very important to a lot of the people who take part in polluting it. While it seems impossible to clean the river with so many practices going against it, small steps can be made to change the practices and preserve the river.
Q5