The disappearing Ganges

by Emily Inglis

Effects of climate change in India are becoming clear. The water level of India’s holiest river, the Ganges is falling, threatening millions dependent on it for their survival.

Used for drinking water, cooking, cleaning and fishing, the river plays an important role in the Hindu religion. The death of the Ganges would change India.

As the levels drop, bodies disposed of in the river as part of funeral rituals rot in the baking heat.

Photojournalist Jack Laurenson, who took these images in Varanasi, India’s holiest city, explained: “These bodies,  rotting and eaten by dogs on the dried-up river bed were a category of people not cremated as they are deemed to be already pure.

The corpses are wrapped in a shroud, taken into the middle of the river, have a large rock tied to them and are tossed in the water. What should be a raging river was in fact dried up wasteland and this meant a lot of exposed remains.

“On a good day in New Delhi, you might glimpse sky. On a bad day, the pollution will prevent you from seeing the end of the road you’re walking on.”