Examples of what is thrown in the mouth of so called sacred riverzzz either it is shame on those who made a river as mother, sacred etc or throwing feces in her knowingly … something is wrong here!

Yes, the documented pollution of the Ganges River explicitly includes excreta (feces and related waste) from both animals and humans.220

This is a core component of the river’s organic pollution load, as tracked by India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other official assessments. Fecal coliform bacteria—microbes found in the intestines and feces of warm-blooded animals, including humans—are a primary indicator used in water quality monitoring. High levels signal contamination from human and/or animal excreta entering the river.18

Human Excreta (the dominant source)

• Untreated or partially treated domestic sewage is the single largest polluter of the Ganges, contributing the majority of fecal coliform.
• CPCB data consistently shows that sewage from cities and towns along the river (estimated at over 10,000 MLD in key states) carries human waste directly into the Ganga. In many stretches, fecal coliform levels far exceed safe bathing limits (e.g., often 50,000+ MPN/100 ml vs. permissible <500 MPN/100 ml).
• This includes open defecation in some rural areas and direct discharge from drains. Recent CPCB reports (including during events like Maha Kumbh 2025) have flagged “extremely high” fecal coliform from human waste, rendering water unfit for bathing or drinking.3935

Animal Excreta (significant non-point source)

• Livestock waste from the vast agricultural basin (home to hundreds of millions of cattle, buffalo, and other animals) contributes via:
• Direct bathing/wallowing of cattle in the river (documented in studies showing high percentages of local livestock using the Ganga/Yamuna for cleaning).
• Agricultural runoff carrying manure and animal feces from farms.
• Surface runoff from rural areas and solid waste sites.
• CPCB and scientific reports explicitly list animal waste as a key factor alongside human sewage. For example, practices like cattle bathing add organic load and fecal bacteria. Wikipedia and peer-reviewed analyses note “disposal of human sewage and animal waste” as main causes.203

In short: Both human and animal excreta are major, well-documented contributors to the “filthy materials” polluting the Ganges. They drive the high fecal coliform counts that make the water unsafe in many places, as per ongoing CPCB monitoring under Namami Gange. While treatment infrastructure has improved some parameters, the volume of untreated waste (human + animal) remains a persistent challenge. Primary sources include CPCB water quality reports, NGT submissions, and studies on the Ganga basin.

Yes, there is extensive documented evidence from official Indian government sources (like the Central Pollution Control Board – CPCB), scientific studies, and programs like Namami Gange showing that the Ganges (Ganga) River has long been polluted by a wide range of materials commonly described as “filthy” or waste—including untreated sewage, industrial effluents, solid garbage, plastics, religious offerings, agricultural runoff, and various forms of organic/inorganic debris thrown or discharged into it.20

This pollution has been monitored for decades. The river receives billions of liters of waste daily from domestic, industrial, agricultural, and cultural sources across its basin (which supports ~500 million people). While Namami Gange (launched 2014) has led to measurable improvements in some stretches (e.g., better Dissolved Oxygen and pH levels meeting bathing standards in parts of the main stem per recent CPCB data), major issues persist.13

Key Documented Sources of Pollution (with evidence)

1. Untreated Sewage and Human/Organic Waste (the largest source, often called the primary “filthy” pollutant):
   CPCB estimates ~8,250 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage generated in the Ganga basin, with only ~3,500 MLD treated. Untreated domestic sewage (including fecal matter) accounts for the majority of pollution, leading to high fecal coliform levels (often exceeding safe limits by thousands in places like Varanasi). Historical data shows over 75% untreated in many towns. This includes open defecation and direct dumping.22
2. Industrial Effluents and Toxic Chemicals (heavy metals, chromium, etc., from “filthy” factory waste):
   Over 1,000 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) identified by CPCB, including tanneries in Kanpur (chromium), chemical plants, sugar mills, distilleries, paper mills, textile units, and slaughterhouses. These discharge untreated or partially treated waste containing heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Pb, Zn, Cd), contributing to toxicity. CPCB and Namami Gange reports document non-compliant hotspots and ongoing monitoring via real-time effluent systems.11
3. Solid Waste, Plastics, and Garbage Dumping (including municipal trash and everyday “filthy” materials thrown in):
   Cities along the river generate massive municipal solid waste (~1.5 lakh tonnes/day nationally, with significant portions reaching the Ganga). Plastics and non-biodegradable waste are a major issue—the Ganga is one of the world’s top sources of riverine plastic pollution. Studies show mismanaged plastic waste from urban areas, households, and dumping sites entering the river. Robotic trash skimmers under Namami Gange target floating solids.36
4. Religious and Cultural Offerings (flowers, idols, ashes, food items, and related waste):
   Practices like idol immersion (paints with heavy metals), flower offerings (often on plastic), ashes from cremations (~32,000 bodies/year in Varanasi alone, some partially burnt), and other ritual materials contribute. These are documented in CPCB assessments and studies as adding organic load, plastics, and chemicals. Food offerings or remains are part of broader solid/organic waste.25
5. Agricultural Runoff and Other Materials (pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, etc.):
   Runoff from the Indo-Gangetic plains (65%+ agricultural basin) carries chemical fertilizers/pesticides. Livestock carcasses and other debris are also noted in pollution inventories.19

Specific to the Recent Iftar Food Waste Case (Non-Vegetarian Remains)

In March 2026, a Varanasi incident involved 14 men arrested after a video showed them eating non-vegetarian food (e.g., chicken biryani) during an Iftar boat party on the Ganges and allegedly discarding leftovers into the river. They were charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections (for public nuisance, fouling water, hurting religious sentiments) and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The Allahabad High Court granted bail to eight on May 15, 2026, noting the act could offend Hindu sentiments given the river’s sacred status but considering the accused’s records and apologies. This is a documented legal case of food waste disposal, though it is one isolated incident amid broader solid waste issues. Investigations into the video continue for some accused.1

In summary: Official CPCB reports, Namami Gange assessments, and peer-reviewed studies provide clear, ongoing evidence of pollution from virtually every category of “filthy material” people throw, discharge, or allow to enter the river—sewage being the dominant one, followed by industrial and solid waste. Efforts like sewage treatment plants, industrial monitoring, and river surface cleaning have helped in stretches (e.g., some states showing improvement in CPCB’s 2025 Polluted River Stretch report), but challenges remain due to volume and enforcement. For primary sources, see CPCB water quality reports or the Namami Gange portal.