“A lot of human waste”: British biologist’s simple test exposes shocking Ganga contamination

A new video about the Ganga is getting a lot of attention online, and this time the talk is not about rituals or religion. It is about water quality. A British biologist shared a clip showing a simple test on the river water, and the results have raised strong reactions across social media. The river that many consider sacred is now being discussed in a very different way.The video was shared by Jeremy Wade, a British biologist and television presenter known for the show River Monsters. Wade has travelled to many places studying rivers and aquatic life. In this clip, he focuses on the Ganga and uses a basic chemical test to show contamination.Instead of using advanced equipment, Wade uses a simple test that changes colour based on water quality. He first tests mineral water to show what clean water should look like.“Pink means the river is clean. Anything else spells trouble,” he says.The mineral water turns a darker pinkish-brown shade, which he describes as how clean water should look.Next, Wade tests water taken from the Ganga. The sample changes to a light brown colour.“This is the Ganges water. What does this mean? It means fecal coliform bacteria. Basically, the water here is full of human waste.”This part of the video became the most discussed and sparked strong reactions online.Wade also notes that the topic is sensitive. For many people, the Ganga is not just a river but a sacred symbol.“To point out that the Ganges is unclean is, to many Hindus, deeply offensive,” he says.During the video, Wade meets a holy man who invites him to take part in a ritual bath in the river. This puts him in an awkward situation.“Without causing any offense to anyone, I decided to take the plunge.”The video shows him stepping into the river. Later, Wade says he did not know swimming was part of the ritual.“It’s actually quite refreshing, though I’m trying not to think of what I’m seeing around me, particularly what’s floating on the surface and what I’m treading on. It feels very soft and squishy.”In the clip, the holy man is seen drinking the river water. Wade chooses not to drink it and only brings the water to his lips.“I really do feel refreshed and set up for the day. Whether I get a dose of dysentery or worse remains to be seen.”The video quickly spread online, and people shared their views.One user commented, “Blind belief helps no one, not even the Ganga.”Another wrote, “Religious beliefs are killing the Ganga; education without wisdom is just another form of ignorance.”A third person said, “In India, we worship rivers as goddesses, yet we tend to pollute them in the name of offerings, rituals, and sacrificial traditions. What a pity to be the most ancient civilization, failing to withstand nature.”One viewer shared a personal experience: “I have swum in that river several times, but up north on the foothills of the Himalayas, mostly in Rishikesh. I would not dare to swim in it further down. Because I have seen on a daily basis people throwing cow feces into the river.”Disclaimer: This article is based on a video shared on social media and the reactions it generated. The Times of India has not independently verified the authenticity of the video or the events shown. The comments and opinions cited are those of social media users and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.Thumb image: Instagram