Kumbh Mela 2025: Environmental Impact and Challenges

Summary of Blog

1. Water Pollution Concerns – The Ganges and Yamuna face severe pollution from ritual bathing, industrial effluents, and untreated sewage, necessitating real-time water quality monitoring and advanced wastewater treatment.

2. Air Quality Degradation – Vehicular emissions, biomass burning, and dust resuspension elevate PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, NO₂, and CO levels, increasing respiratory and cardiovascular health risks.

3. Waste Management Crisis – The event generates massive plastic, organic, and religious waste, requiring biodegradable alternatives, decentralized waste treatment, and stricter waste segregation policies.

4. Public Health and Sanitation Risks – Overcrowding and poor sanitation infrastructure contribute to waterborne diseases, vector-borne infections, and respiratory illnesses, emphasizing the need for strong health surveillance and emergency response systems.

5. Infrastructure Sustainability Challenges – The temporary setup of tents, sanitation units, and roads demands high resource consumption, calling for eco-conscious urban planning and green energy solutions.

6. Eco-Friendly Initiatives in Action – Measures such as banning single-use plastics, promoting solar energy, and deploying electric vehicles (EVs) aim to reduce the environmental footprint of the event.

7. Extreme Weather and Climate Challenges – Temperature fluctuations, dust storms, and heat waves impact pilgrims’ health, requiring real-time meteorological tracking and adaptive public health measures.

8. Technological Interventions for Sustainability – AI-powered analytics, IoT-based sensors, and bioremediation techniques offer data-driven solutions for pollution control and resource optimization.

9. Regulatory and Policy Framework – Stricter industrial effluent regulations, controlled waste disposal strategies, and environmental compliance mechanisms are essential for long-term sustainability.

10. Future Outlook for Sustainable Mega-Events – The success of Kumbh Mela 2025 will serve as a model for global event sustainability, integrating smart urban planning, environmental conservation, and large-scale green initiatives.

Kumbh Mela 2025: Environmental Impact and Challenges

India, being a country of diversity, brings along celebrations and performances of rituals that unite millions in faith and tradition. One of the most significant is Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. While a spiritual and cultural marvel, the event also presents significant environmental challenges. The 2025 Kumbh Mela, hosted in Prayagraj, will see an influx of people, leading to increased waste generation, air pollution, and water contamination issues that require serious attention.

A key concern is water pollution in the Ganges. Ritualistic bathing, industrial effluents, and sewage discharge put immense pressure on the river's fragile ecosystem. Despite ongoing river-cleaning initiatives like Namami Gange, managing the surge in organic and inorganic waste during the Mela remains challenging. Additionally, improper waste disposal, including plastic waste, food waste, and religious offerings, can lead to landfill overflow and groundwater contamination.

Air quality is another critical factor. With increased vehicular movement, open burning of waste, and makeshift kitchens, the festival contributes to elevated levels of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and harmful gases like CO, NO₂, and SO₂. Temporary settlements also increase energy consumption, adding to emissions.

Infrastructure sustainability is a pressing issue. The Mela requires extensive temporary setups, including tents, sanitation facilities, and roads, which demand high resource consumption. Efficient wastewater treatment, sustainable waste management, and green energy solutions are necessary to minimize environmental degradation.

Balancing tradition with sustainability is key. Adopting eco-friendly practices, deploying real-time air and water quality monitoring, and enforcing strict waste management policies can significantly mitigate the impact. With proper planning, Kumbh Mela 2025 can set an example of large-scale event sustainability while preserving its spiritual essence.

Did you know? Kumbh Mela is known as the largest mass gathering on Earth, attracting people worldwide. While the exact number of attendees is difficult to determine, estimates suggest that 2 to 8 million pilgrims participate on auspicious days.

Study Area: Mahakumbh Mela, Prayagraj, UP

Prayagraj, located in southern Uttar Pradesh, India, lies at 25.4500°N, 81.8500°E and covers a metropolitan area of 63.07 km². The city is well-connected by road, rail, and air to major cities across India.

Kumbh Melas are major spiritual gatherings held at different times and locations as per Hindu tradition. These events, lasting for weeks, attract millions of devotees worldwide. The frequency varies some occur annually, while the Maha Kumbh Mela, the most significant, happens once every 144 years in Prayagraj. In 2025, the Maha Kumbh Mela will be celebrated, a rare and grand event held once every 144 years in Prayagraj.

Preparations and Infrastructure for Kumbh Mela 2025

To manage the massive influx of pilgrims, the Uttar Pradesh government has undertaken extensive planning to ensure a smooth and organized experience for visitors.

The Mela area has been expanded to 40 square kilometers and divided into 25 sectors, each equipped with housing, roads, electricity, water supply, and communication towers. This marks an 800-hectare expansion compared to Kumbh 2019, highlighting the event's growing scale and infrastructure demand.

To accommodate millions, authorities have planned around 180,000 tents for pilgrims and religious organizations. A direct workforce of 20,000 personnel will maintain cleanliness and sanitation, including 150,000 temporary toilets, ensuring efficient waste management. Did you know this? staggering crowd of over 450 million people is expected to converge on the sacred city of Prayagraj for the monumental Maha Kumbh Mela.

For ritual immersions, 35 existing permanent ghats have been renovated, and nine new ghats have been constructed to manage the high footfall while preserving riverbank integrity.

These large-scale infrastructure developments, coupled with modern sanitation and communication systems, aim to make Kumbh Mela 2025 a logistically seamless and environmentally sustainable event.

Environmental Challenges of Large Gatherings

Large gatherings like Kumbh Mela significantly impact the environment and public health. Key areas of concern include:

1. Water Supply & Quality – Increased demand puts pressure on available water resources, while ritual bathing and waste discharge affect water purity.

2. Air Pollution – Increased vehicular emissions, open waste burning, and dust lead to elevated PM2.5 and PM10 levels, affecting air quality and respiratory health.

3. Noise Pollution – Loudspeakers, processions, and large crowds contribute to high decibel levels, impacting both human health and wildlife.

4. Public Health – High population density raises the risk of disease outbreaks, requiring strong health surveillance and emergency response systems.

5. Sanitation – Proper waste disposal, public toilets, and hygiene measures are crucial to prevent contamination and infections.

6. Wastewater Management – Managing sewage and greywater effectively is essential to prevent waterborne diseases and protect nearby water bodies.

7. Improper Waste Management – The massive influx of people generates plastic waste, food waste, and religious offerings, often left unmanaged. Inefficient collection, segregation, and disposal systems lead to landfill overflow, groundwater contamination, and ecosystem damage.

Water Supply & Quality

The Kumbh Mela, while being a grand spiritual event, presents significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning water pollution. The ritual bathing (snan) in the Ganges and Yamuna are central to the festival, yet the sheer volume of pilgrims introduces a paradox; while seeking purification, they inadvertently contribute to water contamination.

A major concern is the introduction of fecal coliform bacteria, organic waste, and pollutants into the river due to human activity and ritual offerings. Items like flowers, puja materials, soap, and oil lamps, traditionally used in religious practices, contribute to organic and inorganic pollution. This depletes dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, threatening aquatic ecosystems that are considered sacred. The decline in the self-purification capacity of the river due to excessive anthropogenic load raises long-term sustainability concerns.

Additionally, industrial effluents exacerbate the problem. Over 2.9 billion liters of untreated wastewater are discharged into the Ganges daily, primarily from industrial zones near Prayagraj. Managing water flow during the Kumbh remains a logistical challenge, particularly on peak bathing days when demand for clean water surpasses availability. At Sangam, Prayagraj, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of the Ganges and Yamuna typically remains below 6 mg/L, largely due to the discharge of effluents from pulp and paper industries into tributaries like the Ramganga and Kali rivers.

Furthermore, open defecation near the riverbanks worsens the spread of waterborne diseases, while floating debris from ritual offerings further degrades water quality. The cumulative impact of these activities poses a severe challenge to river health, necessitating improved wastewater management.

Let’s Talk About the Previous Kumbh Mela: Water Pollution Insights

The 2019 Kumbh Mela witnessed an unprecedented 130.2 million attendees, significantly impacting the water quality of the Ganges. According to the CPCB report (Environmental Footprints of Mass Bathing on Water Quality of River Ganga during Kumbh Mela), the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) at Kuresar Ghat, a key indicator of organic pollution, ranged from 2.5 to 8.6 mg/L, exceeding the permissible limit of 3 mg/L. Elevated BOD levels indicate increased microbial activity, depleting dissolved oxygen (DO), and stressing aquatic ecosystems.

At Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, fecal coliform levels ranged from <1.8 to 23,000 MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 ml, far surpassing the safe limit of 2,500 MPN/100 ml. Such high microbial contamination underscores the direct impact of mass bathing, open defecation, and ritual offerings on pathogenic load in the river.

Now, looking at recent data, just two months before the 2025 Maha Kumbh, in November 2024, the fecal coliform count at downstream Sangam was recorded at 3,300 MPN/100 ml, again exceeding the regulatory threshold of 2,500 MPN/100 ml. This suggests that pre-existing pollution levels remain critical even before the anticipated influx of millions of pilgrims, necessitating immediate water quality management measures to prevent further degradation.

With Kumbh Mela 2025 ongoing, real-time water quality monitoring, advanced wastewater treatment, and strict pollution control measures will be crucial in mitigating these challenges and ensuring a sustainable, safe, and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees.

Air Pollution at Maha Kumbh 2025

Air pollution has reached a critical threshold, posing severe risks to human health and ecological balance. The primary contributors remain anthropogenic activities, including fossil fuel combustion, industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and biomass burning. These sources release harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), which contribute to respiratory diseases and cardiovascular disorders.

During the previous Maha Kumbh, approximately 15,000 cases of respiratory illness were reported, largely attributed to smoke emissions from open-fire choolahs used for cooking and warmth. Additionally, tobacco consumption, including cigars, hookahs, and cigarettes, was prevalent among priests and rural attendees, further exacerbating particulate matter (PM) pollution. Discarded cigarette and bidi stubs not only contribute to littering but also release toxic residues that impact ambient air quality and public health, increasing the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and oral disorders.

Vehicular movement and large crowds have also led to significant dust resuspension, aggravating conditions for vulnerable groups, including asthmatics and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Extreme Weather and Air Quality Challenges

Unseasonably high temperatures combined with dust pollution have created additional health concerns for pilgrims and local residents. Since January 31, 2025, maximum temperatures have exceeded 30°C, with sharp fluctuations between day and night temperatures (9-13°C at night and 31°C during the day). These variations have led to a surge in cases of respiratory infections, cough, cold, and fever, with 1,500-1,700 patients visiting the OPD daily at the central hospital of Kumbh Mela, nearly 50% of whom present with respiratory ailments.

According to Dr. Gaurav Dwivedi, Nodal Officer of the Central Hospital at Maha Kumbh, the temperature differential and high dust levels have significantly increased cases of allergic reactions, particularly among asthma patients. Many international pilgrims are experiencing difficulty adapting to the fluctuating climate and high PM levels.

Real-Time Weather and Air Quality Monitoring

Recognizing the environmental and health risks, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has launched a dedicated web portal for Maha Kumbh 2025, offering real-time weather forecasts and air quality data. This platform provides hourly, three-hourly, and weekly forecasts for Prayagraj and nearby cities, including Ayodhya, Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, and Varanasi. It monitors key meteorological parameters such as temperature, wind chill, wind speed and direction, humidity, and air quality index (AQI), ensuring timely alerts and informed decision-making for attendees and authorities.

Addressing air pollution challenges at Maha Kumbh 2025 requires comprehensive mitigation strategies, including real-time air quality monitoring, traffic control, regulated biomass burning, and stringent waste management policies, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable event.

Noise Pollution

Kumbh Mela holds immense religious significance for Hindus, attracting saints, priests, yogis, and millions of pilgrims across India. In Prayagraj, the convergence of large crowds engaging in ritualistic practices, processions, and devotional activities significantly contributes to elevated noise levels.

Multiple sources, including vehicular movement, musical instruments, and loudspeakers, amplify sound pollution, often exceeding permissible decibel limits. The continuous influx of pilgrims, particularly on foot, towards Har Ki Pauri for the sacred Ganga bath creates high-density zones, leading to traffic congestion and mobility challenges.

Excessive noise exposure during the festival can adversely affect public health, including elevated stress levels, hearing impairment, and cardiovascular strain. Additionally, the high-decibel environment disrupts local wildlife, affecting their communication, behavioral patterns, and overall ecosystem balance.

Mitigation strategies such as controlled sound zoning, real-time noise monitoring, and regulated use of amplification systems are essential to minimize the long-term impact of noise pollution while preserving the spiritual and cultural essence of Kumbh Mela.

Public health and Sanitation

Despite being a spiritual and cultural phenomenon, Kumbh Mela presents significant public health and sanitation challenges. Inadequate waste management and poor sanitation facilities create favorable conditions for disease transmission, particularly through mosquito breeding and contamination of water sources. This leads to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and gastrointestinal infections, posing a substantial health risk to both pilgrims and local residents.

Waterborne Disease and Contaminant Exposure

Historical data and epidemiological studies indicate a sharp rise in cholera, gastrointestinal illnesses, and typhoid fever during Kumbh Mela, primarily due to the consumption of contaminated water containing harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Additionally, exposure to microplastics in aquatic environments presents an emerging health risk, as these persistent pollutants accumulate in the food chain, further exacerbating long-term public health concerns.

Public Health and Disease Prevention Strategies

Effective public health management requires a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating preventive healthcare, sanitation infrastructure, and disease surveillance. In mass gatherings like Kumbh, proactive interventions must address the following:

1. Open Defecation and Sanitation Infrastructure – A significant portion of attendees lack access to proper sanitation, leading to open defecation, which contaminates water bodies and spreads infectious diseases.

2. Manual Scavenging Practices – Despite regulatory efforts, manual scavenging persists, with approximately 9,000 sanitation workers engaged in hazardous waste disposal. Improved mechanized sanitation solutions are essential to protect worker health and dignity.

3. Lack of an Effective Public Health Network – Overcrowding and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in densely populated zones increase the burden of communicable diseases. Strengthening on-ground medical surveillance and emergency response systems is crucial.

4. Vector-Borne Disease Risk – Stagnant water, improper waste disposal, and organic waste accumulation contribute to mosquito breeding, facilitating the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.

5. Odor and Pathogen Proliferation – Accumulated human waste fosters the growth of harmful pathogens, generating odor nuisance and deteriorating air quality, further affecting respiratory health.

Lessons from Past Kumbh Melas

During the 2013 Maha Kumbh, large-scale waterborne disease outbreaks were reported, underscoring the need for robust sanitation management, improved wastewater treatment, and real-time environmental monitoring. Implementing sustainable sanitation models, deploying decentralized waste treatment units, and enhancing real-time pathogen tracking can significantly mitigate health risks and improve the overall public health response at Kumbh Mela 2025.

Wastewater Management and Water Pollution Control at Kumbh Mela

A functioning sewerage system is a non-negotiable prerequisite for hosting any large-scale event. Effective wastewater treatment and disposal must be managed by a competent health authority or environmental agency to prevent contamination from food stalls, sanitation facilities, and ritual offerings. However, the Ganges and Yamuna remain severely polluted, with water extraction for event operations outpacing replenishment rates and untreated sewage, religious offerings, and industrial discharge flowing directly into these rivers.

Despite government-led river cleaning initiatives, the impact has been limited, necessitating more sustainable and scalable interventions. Some of the key steps taken include:

1. Increased Water Flow for Dilution – Ensuring higher river discharge volumes is critical, as dilution enhances the river’s natural assimilative capacity, reducing pollutant concentrations.

2. Sewage Treatment Infrastructure – Sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been established in Prayagraj, but inefficiencies in sewage interception and conveyance render them underutilized, leading to continued raw sewage discharge into the rivers.

3. Bioremediation Experiments – The city has experimented with cost-effective sewage treatment through bioremediation techniques, leveraging microbial action to break down organic waste in an attempt to improve river water quality.

4. Industrial Effluent Regulations – The government has tightened regulations on high-pollution industries, including distilleries and tanneries, restricting untreated waste discharge into the Ganges. While this measure provided temporary relief, long-term sustainability requires continuous enforcement and advanced treatment technologies.

   
   

Waste Management: A Pressing Challenge for Sacred Spaces

The Kumbh Mela generates an enormous volume of solid waste, placing immense pressure on existing waste management infrastructure. The accumulation of food packaging, plastic bottles, disposable utensils, and floral offerings rapidly overwhelms collection and disposal systems, leading to unregulated waste accumulation across ghats, pilgrimage sites, and surrounding urban areas.

Inefficient waste collection, segregation, and disposal result in landfill overflow and riverbank littering, directly impacting water quality and ecological stability. Plastic waste and other non-biodegradable pollutants, once introduced into the fluvial system, have the potential to travel long distances, ultimately entering marine ecosystems and exacerbating global plastic pollution.

The pollution of sacred riverbanks through unregulated waste disposal contradicts the site's spiritual significance. Implementing sustainable waste management strategies, including biodegradable alternatives, decentralized waste processing units, and stricter enforcement of disposal regulations, is critical to maintaining the ecological and cultural integrity of Kumbh Mela’s sacred spaces.

Eco-friendly initiatives to minimize its environmental impact

The Kumbh Mela 2025 has implemented several eco-friendly initiatives to minimize its environmental impact:

Waste Management and Plastic Reduction:

• Ban on Single-Use Plastics: Enforcing a strict prohibition on items like plastic bags, bottles, and straws while promoting biodegradable alternatives and reusable water bottles.

• Waste Segregation: Strategically placing dedicated bins to separate recyclable, biodegradable, and non-recyclable waste, thereby reducing landfill burden.

• Efficient Collection and Disposal: Implementing a well-organized system to ensure regular waste collection and processing, focusing on minimizing litter and maximizing recycling efforts.

Green Energy Solutions:

• Solar Power Utilization: Installing solar panels to power temporary infrastructures such as lighting and charging stations, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

• Energy-Efficient Lighting: Employing LED lights to illuminate event areas, thereby decreasing overall energy consumption.

• Promotion of Electric Vehicles (EVs): Encouraging the use of electric buses, e-rickshaws, and EVs for staff and officials to reduce air pollution and the event's carbon footprint.

Sustainable Water Management:

• Rainwater Harvesting: Installing systems to capture and store rainwater, alleviating pressure on local water resources.

• Water Purification Stations: Providing clean drinking water stations to reduce the need for bottled water and encourage reusable bottles.

• Efficient Water Usage: Monitoring and controlling water consumption to ensure resources are used efficiently, and waste is minimized.

Eco-Conscious Infrastructure:

• Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Constructing temporary structures using sustainable materials and designs to minimize environmental impact.

• Green Sanitation Facilities: Implementing composting toilets and greywater recycling systems to manage waste sustainably.

Pollution Control Measures:

• Air Quality Monitoring: Deploying sensors to monitor air quality in real time, enabling prompt action to mitigate pollution sources.

• Noise Pollution Reduction: Establish designated silent zones and regulate the use of loudspeakers to minimize noise impact.

Public Awareness and Participation:

• Environmental Education Campaigns: Launching initiatives to inform attendees about eco-friendly practices and the importance of sustainability.

• Volunteer Engagement: Involving volunteers in waste collection drives, green practice promotions, and visitor education to foster a collective responsibility towards environmental conservation.

• Tackling air pollution isn't just the job of the government or individuals. It requires a collective effort. Communities like the Indian Air Quality Network (IAQN) help by raising awareness, bringing people together, and supporting action from individuals, researchers, and policymakers. Air quality conferences and workshops in India also play a key role in sharing knowledge and driving innovation to find better solutions.

These initiatives aim to ensure that the Kumbh Mela 2025 is not only a spiritually enriching experience but also a model for environmental sustainability in large-scale events.

Conclusion

Kumbh Mela 2025 isn’t just a religious gathering. It’s a massive event that comes with environmental challenges. With millions of people attending, issues like air and water pollution, waste management, and infrastructure strain become major concerns. However, by adopting smart environmental strategies, such as real-time air and water monitoring, better waste management, and the use of green energy, the event can minimize its impact and set a positive example.

Managing such a large-scale gathering requires strong coordination between government agencies, environmental groups, and tech-driven solutions. In the future, AI-powered analytics, IoT-based monitoring, and decentralized waste treatment could help make events like Kumbh Mela more sustainable and efficient. The success of Kumbh Mela 2025 won’t just be measured by the number of visitors. It will be defined by how well we preserve its sacred spaces for future generations.

FAQs

How does Kumbh Mela affect water quality?

Ritual bathing, industrial discharge, and untreated sewage increase pollutant levels in the Ganges and Yamuna, impacting aquatic ecosystems and public health.

What are the major sources of air pollution during the event?

Vehicular emissions, biomass burning, dust resuspension, and overcrowding contribute to poor air quality, increasing respiratory health risks.

How is waste managed during Kumbh Mela?

Authorities implement waste segregation, biodegradable alternatives, and stricter disposal regulations, but plastic and organic waste overflow remains challenging.

What eco-friendly initiatives are in place for Kumbh Mela 2025?

Key sustainability measures include banning single-use plastics, solar-powered infrastructure, electric vehicles (EVs), and real-time pollution monitoring.

How can large gatherings like Kumbh Mela become more sustainable?

By integrating AI-driven analytics, green energy, improved waste management, and stricter regulatory enforcement, mass events can reduce environmental impact while preserving cultural significance.