Some Useful Plants in Treatment of Ganga Water Pollution and Human Healthcare in India

Abstract

Long distance of 2510 km long river basin, originating from Bhagirathi from Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand, The Ganga is the most sacred river of India which is symbolic of purity and moksha and plays a crucial role in the growth of Indian civilization and economy. The river Ganga which is often called “Holy Ganga” or “Mother Ganga” has been exposed to many anthropogenic pollutants for several decades, and due to that it has grasped a serious and evolving problem. Anthropogenic sources include industrial release, domestic wastes, and municipal sewage. Pollution due to religious activities such as religious bathing and idol immersion is also a major concern. According to earlier studies, the 12 municipal towns located along the Ganga river basin leading to Haridwar, discharge nearly 89 million liters of municipal sewage into the river. High amounts of inorganic and organic pollutants are coming from industrial effluents from different industries. These industrial organic and inorganic pollutants are very serious issues for human health as they are carcinogenic and mutagenic to humans which ultimately cause neurological and physiological and other disorders. Like yoga, India can offer numerous plant-based treatments to the world that can benefit the whole on a larger basis. Learning from old-age traditions of Ayurveda, various trees and herbs along the plains of river Ganga are customarily used by many local and rural people in meeting their day-to-day needs and health care. The study highlights some of the potential plant species like Achyranthes aspera, Acorus calamus, Aegle marmelos, Ajuga bracteosa, Arisaema tortuosum, Aristolochia indica, Asparagus racemosus, Ficus religiosa, Gloriosa superba, Helminthostachys zeylanica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tephrosea purpurea, Terminalia chebula, Tinospora cordifolia, Terminalia bellirica and Withania sominifera etc., that can be combinedly used with modern medical science with the vast invaluable knowledge to provide the effective and affordable treatment for various diseases caused by polluted water of Ganga.