Packaging Waste Tops the List in Ganga’s Plastic Pollution Crisis, Study Shows
Packaging waste—including food wrappers and bags—is driving plastic pollution along the Ganga’s ecological hotspots, posing immediate threats to endangered species and local communities.
Study Finds Packaging Waste Dominates Plastic Pollution in Ganga’s Jharkhand Stretch
A new study has found that packaging waste is the biggest source of plastic pollution along a biodiversity-rich 34 km stretch of the Ganga river in Jharkhand. Researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India surveyed 76 km of river and recorded 37,730 plastic items, with food wrappers, sachets, and grocery bags alone accounting for 52.4% of the total waste.
Plastic fragments formed 23.3%, while tobacco waste and single-use cutlery appeared in smaller proportions. Floodplains were the most affected zones, with 6.95 waste items per square metre — nearly 28 times higher than riverbanks. Pollution was widespread in both urban and rural areas, where household waste dominated at 87%. Other contributors included fishing gear, textiles, and even religious offerings.
The study also noted that post-monsoon floods replenished debris, adding nets, styrofoam, and other waste, which threaten endangered species such as Gangetic dolphins and smooth-coated otters.
Researchers identified the lack of waste collection infrastructure in riverine communities as a key driver of persistent pollution. They recommended urgent measures such as improving local waste management systems, banning or restricting problematic packaging materials, and enhancing community awareness to protect India’s iconic river.
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