mother Ganges this river supports 400 million people the river is believed to
million people the river is believed to
million people the river is believed to have curative powers it can wash you of
have curative powers it can wash you of
have curative powers it can wash you of your sins bring you closer to God but of
your sins bring you closer to God but of
your sins bring you closer to God but of course there’s a great paradox they
course there’s a great paradox they
course there’s a great paradox they don’t think they can actually hurt it
don’t think they can actually hurt it
don’t think they can actually hurt it because it is a God
because it is a God
because it is a God they said the river is sick but it is
they said the river is sick but it is
they said the river is sick but it is still God
still God
still God I wondered what would happen if we took
I wondered what would happen if we took
I wondered what would happen if we took a river that was actually believed to be
a river that was actually believed to be
a river that was actually believed to be sacred they could was actually to
sacred they could was actually to
sacred they could was actually to believe to be a goddess or or part of a
believe to be a goddess or or part of a
believe to be a goddess or or part of a living entity that was part of religion
living entity that was part of religion
living entity that was part of religion the Ganges River is fifteen hundred and
the Ganges River is fifteen hundred and
the Ganges River is fifteen hundred and fifty miles
fifty miles
fifty miles it supports 400 million people and is
it supports 400 million people and is
it supports 400 million people and is believed to be sacred by 1 billion Hindu
believed to be sacred by 1 billion Hindu
believed to be sacred by 1 billion Hindu so we decided to follow the river start
so we decided to follow the river start
so we decided to follow the river start all the way at the top as far as we
all the way at the top as far as we
all the way at the top as far as we could go this is basically the epicenter
could go this is basically the epicenter
could go this is basically the epicenter 21,000 foot shivling peak which is
21,000 foot shivling peak which is
21,000 foot shivling peak which is believed to be the center of the
believed to be the center of the
believed to be the center of the universe in the Hindu world where where
universe in the Hindu world where where
universe in the Hindu world where where Lord Shiva came down and slowed the
Lord Shiva came down and slowed the
Lord Shiva came down and slowed the river from the heavens to the earth
river from the heavens to the earth
river from the heavens to the earth through the locks of his hair we decided
through the locks of his hair we decided
through the locks of his hair we decided to go past shivling which is in the back
to go past shivling which is in the back
to go past shivling which is in the back all the way to the top of the Gangotri
all the way to the top of the Gangotri
all the way to the top of the Gangotri glacier into the Garhwal region of the
glacier into the Garhwal region of the
glacier into the Garhwal region of the Himalaya up near the China and Pakistani
Himalaya up near the China and Pakistani
Himalaya up near the China and Pakistani border we weren’t even allowed to bring
border we weren’t even allowed to bring
border we weren’t even allowed to bring satellite phones they were afraid
satellite phones they were afraid
satellite phones they were afraid they’re using him for terrorism
they’re using him for terrorism
they’re using him for terrorism activities so three of us came up to
activities so three of us came up to
activities so three of us came up to this very remote region in an attempt to
this very remote region in an attempt to
this very remote region in an attempt to climb this peak right there
climb this peak right there
climb this peak right there Chuck whom before never climbed before
Chuck whom before never climbed before
Chuck whom before never climbed before twenty-two thousand five hundred feet
twenty-two thousand five hundred feet
twenty-two thousand five hundred feet high this is a little out of my climbing
high this is a little out of my climbing
high this is a little out of my climbing range to be honest well these two guys
range to be honest well these two guys
range to be honest well these two guys Jake Norton he found Mallory’s body on
Jake Norton he found Mallory’s body on
Jake Norton he found Mallory’s body on Everest Dave Morten he’s guided all
Everest Dave Morten he’s guided all
Everest Dave Morten he’s guided all seven summits combined they’ve stood on
seven summits combined they’ve stood on
seven summits combined they’ve stood on the top of Mount Everest nine times
the top of Mount Everest nine times
the top of Mount Everest nine times seemed like pretty good company it’s
seemed like pretty good company it’s
seemed like pretty good company it’s actually a little nervous they were just
actually a little nervous they were just
actually a little nervous they were just gonna drag me into anything and we got
gonna drag me into anything and we got
gonna drag me into anything and we got up to the top 18,000 feet of the
up to the top 18,000 feet of the
up to the top 18,000 feet of the Gangotri glacier and we were getting
Gangotri glacier and we were getting
Gangotri glacier and we were getting prepared to
prepared to
prepared to start climbing this unclimbed peak we’re
start climbing this unclimbed peak we’re
start climbing this unclimbed peak we’re gonna do water samples up at the top and
gonna do water samples up at the top and
gonna do water samples up at the top and an unpredictable monsoon pattern rolled
an unpredictable monsoon pattern rolled
an unpredictable monsoon pattern rolled in jake could detect it hours before it
in jake could detect it hours before it
in jake could detect it hours before it happens anytime ah the weather’s great
happens anytime ah the weather’s great
happens anytime ah the weather’s great and sure enough this weather started
and sure enough this weather started
and sure enough this weather started rolling in at 4 p.m. it started snowing
rolling in at 4 p.m. it started snowing
rolling in at 4 p.m. it started snowing it snowed 3 feet in 12 hours did count
it snowed 3 feet in 12 hours did count
it snowed 3 feet in 12 hours did count 36 avalanches counting through the night
36 avalanches counting through the night
36 avalanches counting through the night which a mix between thunder artillery
which a mix between thunder artillery
which a mix between thunder artillery distant drones and someone banging a
distant drones and someone banging a
distant drones and someone banging a drum over my head so we packed up our
drum over my head so we packed up our
drum over my head so we packed up our tents had to leave much of our stuff and
tents had to leave much of our stuff and
tents had to leave much of our stuff and basically flood hiking out with no trail
basically flood hiking out with no trail
basically flood hiking out with no trail down a glacier with heavy packs is
down a glacier with heavy packs is
down a glacier with heavy packs is challenging especially when you have to
challenging especially when you have to
challenging especially when you have to find it through 3 feet in retrospect we
find it through 3 feet in retrospect we
find it through 3 feet in retrospect we left our ropes which maybe wasn’t the
left our ropes which maybe wasn’t the
left our ropes which maybe wasn’t the smartest thing as we’re crossing a lot
smartest thing as we’re crossing a lot
smartest thing as we’re crossing a lot of crevasses but we were we were
of crevasses but we were we were
of crevasses but we were we were challenge was either tent or ropes what
challenge was either tent or ropes what
challenge was either tent or ropes what are we gonna do here so we came down and
are we gonna do here so we came down and
are we gonna do here so we came down and negotiated safely through some of these
negotiated safely through some of these
negotiated safely through some of these crevasses and made it back to the safety
crevasses and made it back to the safety
crevasses and made it back to the safety of this little tiny ashram this place
of this little tiny ashram this place
of this little tiny ashram this place where a guy named silent baba lives it’s
where a guy named silent baba lives it’s
where a guy named silent baba lives it’s at 14,000 feet
at 14,000 feet
at 14,000 feet Sally Bob is a really interesting guy
Sally Bob is a really interesting guy
Sally Bob is a really interesting guy many believe the further up the Ganges
many believe the further up the Ganges
many believe the further up the Ganges you go it is more sacred the river is
you go it is more sacred the river is
you go it is more sacred the river is believed to have curative powers it can
believed to have curative powers it can
believed to have curative powers it can wash you of your sins they can touch it
wash you of your sins they can touch it
wash you of your sins they can touch it can bring you closer to God
can bring you closer to God
can bring you closer to God well salad baba decided he’s gonna go
well salad baba decided he’s gonna go
well salad baba decided he’s gonna go all the way to the top and live up there
all the way to the top and live up there
all the way to the top and live up there at 14,000 feet and in addition to prove
at 14,000 feet and in addition to prove
at 14,000 feet and in addition to prove that he’s that devoted he’s not gonna
that he’s that devoted he’s not gonna
that he’s that devoted he’s not gonna speak anymore so he doesn’t talk and if
speak anymore so he doesn’t talk and if
speak anymore so he doesn’t talk and if you look at his front yard basically
you look at his front yard basically
you look at his front yard basically below shoveling you can see the wild
below shoveling you can see the wild
below shoveling you can see the wild ibex leaping about and jumping across
ibex leaping about and jumping across
ibex leaping about and jumping across this is one of the spots that I took a
this is one of the spots that I took a
this is one of the spots that I took a water sample I’ll show you some of the
water sample I’ll show you some of the
water sample I’ll show you some of the water sample data as we move down stream
water sample data as we move down stream
water sample data as we move down stream so unfortunately these guys are big
so unfortunately these guys are big
so unfortunately these guys are big sponsored Eddie Bauer athletes they were
sponsored Eddie Bauer athletes they were
sponsored Eddie Bauer athletes they were bummed we didn’t climb I was somewhat
bummed we didn’t climb I was somewhat
bummed we didn’t climb I was somewhat secretly relieved I’d have to go up that
secretly relieved I’d have to go up that
secretly relieved I’d have to go up that mountain and we found negotiated our way
mountain and we found negotiated our way
mountain and we found negotiated our way back down the Gangotri glacier it took
back down the Gangotri glacier it took
back down the Gangotri glacier it took us four days and give you an idea of how
us four days and give you an idea of how
us four days and give you an idea of how powerful this Ganges River is there was
powerful this Ganges River is there was
powerful this Ganges River is there was a glacial outburst from another one of
a glacial outburst from another one of
a glacial outburst from another one of its tributaries that literally tore
its tributaries that literally tore
its tributaries that literally tore through this area called you Takashi and
through this area called you Takashi and
through this area called you Takashi and you can see how populated it is
you can see how populated it is
you can see how populated it is so you just send out of that upper gamma
so you just send out of that upper gamma
so you just send out of that upper gamma region it killed 6,000 people and then
region it killed 6,000 people and then
region it killed 6,000 people and then once you leave the very upper Highlands
once you leave the very upper Highlands
once you leave the very upper Highlands of the Ganges you come down to this
of the Ganges you come down to this
of the Ganges you come down to this remarkable dam the Tehri dam the largest
remarkable dam the Tehri dam the largest
remarkable dam the Tehri dam the largest dam in Asia very controversial mostly
dam in Asia very controversial mostly
dam in Asia very controversial mostly controversial because if this river is
controversial because if this river is
controversial because if this river is God and you dam a river that is God you
God and you dam a river that is God you
God and you dam a river that is God you dam God what becomes of God is it still
dam God what becomes of God is it still
dam God what becomes of God is it still sacred so many ask that on a spiritual
sacred so many ask that on a spiritual
sacred so many ask that on a spiritual level it also submerged 40 villages and
level it also submerged 40 villages and
level it also submerged 40 villages and displaced a hundred thousand people but
displaced a hundred thousand people but
displaced a hundred thousand people but it does produce 200 thousand megawatts
it does produce 200 thousand megawatts
it does produce 200 thousand megawatts of electricity which is very important
of electricity which is very important
of electricity which is very important in in a developing nation of course just
in in a developing nation of course just
in in a developing nation of course just downstream is deaf Prayag a very
downstream is deaf Prayag a very
downstream is deaf Prayag a very spiritual place officially on a map this
spiritual place officially on a map this
spiritual place officially on a map this is where the Ganges starts the river on
is where the Ganges starts the river on
is where the Ganges starts the river on the left is the bog arathi that’s the
the left is the bog arathi that’s the
the left is the bog arathi that’s the source River that’s the river we went up
source River that’s the river we went up
source River that’s the river we went up the river on the right is the aaalac
the river on the right is the aaalac
the river on the right is the aaalac ananda you can see the difference
ananda you can see the difference
ananda you can see the difference between what a dam does and what a dam
between what a dam does and what a dam
between what a dam does and what a dam doesn’t do on the right is the natural
doesn’t do on the right is the natural
doesn’t do on the right is the natural hue the sediment carrying loads etc that
hue the sediment carrying loads etc that
hue the sediment carrying loads etc that emerald green again clear water coming
emerald green again clear water coming
emerald green again clear water coming down on the left because of the dam when
down on the left because of the dam when
down on the left because of the dam when you get below dev Priok down into some
you get below dev Priok down into some
you get below dev Priok down into some of the more populated foothills this is
of the more populated foothills this is
of the more populated foothills this is around in Rishikesh and Haridwar you
around in Rishikesh and Haridwar you
around in Rishikesh and Haridwar you start to see the real love and adornment
start to see the real love and adornment
start to see the real love and adornment of the river this is called Aarti it’s a
of the river this is called Aarti it’s a
of the river this is called Aarti it’s a daily ritual in the hindu culture where
daily ritual in the hindu culture where
daily ritual in the hindu culture where they come to do offerings and sing songs
they come to do offerings and sing songs
they come to do offerings and sing songs and offer flame flame which equals light
and offer flame flame which equals light
and offer flame flame which equals light which equals humility in front of your
which equals humility in front of your
which equals humility in front of your gods and they basically come out every
gods and they basically come out every
gods and they basically come out every single day at five o’clock and give this
single day at five o’clock and give this
single day at five o’clock and give this river a group hug and it’s beautiful
river a group hug and it’s beautiful
river a group hug and it’s beautiful it’s really beautiful but of course
it’s really beautiful but of course
it’s really beautiful but of course there’s a great paradox they don’t think
there’s a great paradox they don’t think
there’s a great paradox they don’t think they can actually hurt it because it is
they can actually hurt it because it is
they can actually hurt it because it is a god or they may do offerings that are
a god or they may do offerings that are
a god or they may do offerings that are unaware that they’re putting plastic in
unaware that they’re putting plastic in
unaware that they’re putting plastic in the river that’s bad so the people that
the river that’s bad so the people that
the river that’s bad so the people that adore it are also partially killing it
adore it are also partially killing it
adore it are also partially killing it now just to give you a flavor some
now just to give you a flavor some
now just to give you a flavor some sights and sounds of Aarti I’m going to
sights and sounds of Aarti I’m going to
sights and sounds of Aarti I’m going to play a short video
[Music]
[Music] I’m gonna keep moving you downstream
I’m gonna keep moving you downstream
I’m gonna keep moving you downstream trying to get us to the end of this
trying to get us to the end of this
trying to get us to the end of this river remarkable River when you get up
river remarkable River when you get up
river remarkable River when you get up in the air but to give you an idea how
in the air but to give you an idea how
in the air but to give you an idea how hard that is in India helicopters and
hard that is in India helicopters and
hard that is in India helicopters and aircraft are used for the military only
aircraft are used for the military only
aircraft are used for the military only this took me two years to get this
this took me two years to get this
this took me two years to get this flight but you’re able to see from the
flight but you’re able to see from the
flight but you’re able to see from the air kind of the beauty the marvel of the
air kind of the beauty the marvel of the
air kind of the beauty the marvel of the Himalaya and Asura’s river descends and
Himalaya and Asura’s river descends and
Himalaya and Asura’s river descends and through the terraced and populated areas
through the terraced and populated areas
through the terraced and populated areas I mean ii think this river supports 400
I mean ii think this river supports 400
I mean ii think this river supports 400 million people and we wanted to do
million people and we wanted to do
million people and we wanted to do something different – we didn’t I wanted
something different – we didn’t I wanted
something different – we didn’t I wanted to document it and try to raise
to document it and try to raise
to document it and try to raise awareness but I also wanted to to do
awareness but I also wanted to to do
awareness but I also wanted to to do some testing to prove is this people
some testing to prove is this people
some testing to prove is this people claim it’s the most contaminated river
claim it’s the most contaminated river
claim it’s the most contaminated river in the world and what is the situation
in the world and what is the situation
in the world and what is the situation with this water how bad is it so we
with this water how bad is it so we
with this water how bad is it so we brought some water testing devices this
brought some water testing devices this
brought some water testing devices this is actually in front of Agra and the Taj
is actually in front of Agra and the Taj
is actually in front of Agra and the Taj in Agra in front of the Taj Mahal many
in Agra in front of the Taj Mahal many
in Agra in front of the Taj Mahal many people maybe some of you have been to
people maybe some of you have been to
people maybe some of you have been to the Taj Mahal but nobody goes out here
the Taj Mahal but nobody goes out here
the Taj Mahal but nobody goes out here this is the most putrid river I’ve ever
this is the most putrid river I’ve ever
this is the most putrid river I’ve ever stepped my foot in my life I mean it was
stepped my foot in my life I mean it was
stepped my foot in my life I mean it was garbage and and crap everywhere and
garbage and and crap everywhere and
garbage and and crap everywhere and there was a half-eaten dead monkey
there was a half-eaten dead monkey
there was a half-eaten dead monkey floating by me nasty nasty water and
floating by me nasty nasty water and
floating by me nasty nasty water and they do say that the Gangaajal the the
they do say that the Gangaajal the the
they do say that the Gangaajal the the Ganges water is powerful its curative
Ganges water is powerful its curative
Ganges water is powerful its curative there’s something special about it and
there’s something special about it and
there’s something special about it and I’m like really listen we need to figure
I’m like really listen we need to figure
I’m like really listen we need to figure this out as early as 1896 the British
this out as early as 1896 the British
this out as early as 1896 the British were actually putting cholera bacteria
were actually putting cholera bacteria
were actually putting cholera bacteria into Ganges water and it was dying so
into Ganges water and it was dying so
into Ganges water and it was dying so the Ganges had a power to it a curative
the Ganges had a power to it a curative
the Ganges had a power to it a curative power that was in fact unusual but here
power that was in fact unusual but here
power that was in fact unusual but here in the Yamuna River this is what our
in the Yamuna River this is what our
in the Yamuna River this is what our data showed this is the oxygen dissolved
data showed this is the oxygen dissolved
data showed this is the oxygen dissolved oxygen content if you’re above 8:00 on a
oxygen content if you’re above 8:00 on a
oxygen content if you’re above 8:00 on a river with adult oxygen which all the
river with adult oxygen which all the
river with adult oxygen which all the species and plant and flora need your
species and plant and flora need your
species and plant and flora need your healthy river well right there at you
healthy river well right there at you
healthy river well right there at you move in front of Agra it was zero
move in front of Agra it was zero
move in front of Agra it was zero basically a dead river and just to give
basically a dead river and just to give
basically a dead river and just to give you an idea of what happens on the
you an idea of what happens on the
you an idea of what happens on the inverse we tested for 21 heavy metals
inverse we tested for 21 heavy metals
inverse we tested for 21 heavy metals this was one of the just the higher
this was one of the just the higher
this was one of the just the higher ranges the yellow line is the safety
ranges the yellow line is the safety
ranges the yellow line is the safety line for human interaction so of course
line for human interaction so of course
line for human interaction so of course I was standing knee-deep in a river that
I was standing knee-deep in a river that
I was standing knee-deep in a river that is just laden with zinc just one of the
is just laden with zinc just one of the
is just laden with zinc just one of the many heavy metals it was high so not a
many heavy metals it was high so not a
many heavy metals it was high so not a healthy River but what’s interesting is
healthy River but what’s interesting is
healthy River but what’s interesting is the oxygen level came back
the oxygen level came back
the oxygen level came back you saw that dip it came back up so
you saw that dip it came back up so
you saw that dip it came back up so somehow this river
somehow this river
somehow this river on some level is restoring itself we
on some level is restoring itself we
on some level is restoring itself we jump back over to comp or where you see
jump back over to comp or where you see
jump back over to comp or where you see people of course treating the river much
people of course treating the river much
people of course treating the river much like a laundromat
like a laundromat
like a laundromat nobody was swimming here in Kanpur they
nobody was swimming here in Kanpur they
nobody was swimming here in Kanpur they said the river is sick but it is still
said the river is sick but it is still
said the river is sick but it is still God first signs of fishing we saw this
God first signs of fishing we saw this
God first signs of fishing we saw this is in part because we start coming into
is in part because we start coming into
is in part because we start coming into the Muslim religion that’s mixed in the
the Muslim religion that’s mixed in the
the Muslim religion that’s mixed in the section of Ganges here by Hindu religion
section of Ganges here by Hindu religion
section of Ganges here by Hindu religion they’re all vegetarian and they won’t
they’re all vegetarian and they won’t
they’re all vegetarian and they won’t fish or allow it but in this area we saw
fish or allow it but in this area we saw
fish or allow it but in this area we saw some fishing and then we also wanted to
some fishing and then we also wanted to
some fishing and then we also wanted to see some of the industry comprar was
see some of the industry comprar was
see some of the industry comprar was basically built as a textile town by the
basically built as a textile town by the
basically built as a textile town by the british great access because of the
british great access because of the
british great access because of the ganges river so this is a leather
ganges river so this is a leather
ganges river so this is a leather tannery there are four hundred running
tannery there are four hundred running
tannery there are four hundred running tanneries in Kanpur and they produce 8%
tanneries in Kanpur and they produce 8%
tanneries in Kanpur and they produce 8% of the world’s leather supply much of us
of the world’s leather supply much of us
of the world’s leather supply much of us are probably wearing the leather that
are probably wearing the leather that
are probably wearing the leather that goes to our fine shoes most of its
goes to our fine shoes most of its
goes to our fine shoes most of its buffalo some cow yes the cow and Buffalo
buffalo some cow yes the cow and Buffalo
buffalo some cow yes the cow and Buffalo are sacred but if you’re not Hindu you
are sacred but if you’re not Hindu you
are sacred but if you’re not Hindu you can work in this industry when you’re in
can work in this industry when you’re in
can work in this industry when you’re in a tannery this is one of the cleaner
a tannery this is one of the cleaner
a tannery this is one of the cleaner ones they’re actually following protocol
ones they’re actually following protocol
ones they’re actually following protocol they have to recycle their water now by
they have to recycle their water now by
they have to recycle their water now by government 70 tanneries were shuttered
government 70 tanneries were shuttered
government 70 tanneries were shuttered down by the government but it is one of
down by the government but it is one of
down by the government but it is one of the most toxic places I’ve ever been in
the most toxic places I’ve ever been in
the most toxic places I’ve ever been in my life this was like walking into a
my life this was like walking into a
my life this was like walking into a bottle of ammonia my nose almost
bottle of ammonia my nose almost
bottle of ammonia my nose almost exploded when I walked in here and
exploded when I walked in here and
exploded when I walked in here and they’re basically bathing it in this
they’re basically bathing it in this
they’re basically bathing it in this heavy metal called chromium which is a
heavy metal called chromium which is a
heavy metal called chromium which is a very toxic very nasty heavy metal
very toxic very nasty heavy metal
very toxic very nasty heavy metal creates lung cancer liver failure kidney
creates lung cancer liver failure kidney
creates lung cancer liver failure kidney damage premature dementia and in 2013
damage premature dementia and in 2013
damage premature dementia and in 2013 they did a study that they’re basically
they did a study that they’re basically
they did a study that they’re basically pumping out 79 million gallons of
pumping out 79 million gallons of
pumping out 79 million gallons of contaminated water into the Ganges
contaminated water into the Ganges
contaminated water into the Ganges around Kanpur and they only have a
around Kanpur and they only have a
around Kanpur and they only have a capacity to process 45 million gallons
capacity to process 45 million gallons
capacity to process 45 million gallons so only half of their water’s getting
so only half of their water’s getting
so only half of their water’s getting cleaned this is a worker outside of a
cleaned this is a worker outside of a
cleaned this is a worker outside of a tannery trying to bathe himself off and
tannery trying to bathe himself off and
tannery trying to bathe himself off and he’s kneeling on basically a pancake of
he’s kneeling on basically a pancake of
he’s kneeling on basically a pancake of dried chromium outside the kids are
dried chromium outside the kids are
dried chromium outside the kids are playing a gleeful game of cricket the
playing a gleeful game of cricket the
playing a gleeful game of cricket the national sport and they’re playing on a
national sport and they’re playing on a
national sport and they’re playing on a field of chromium Laden leather scraps
field of chromium Laden leather scraps
field of chromium Laden leather scraps [Applause]
it makes me think about my leather shoes
it makes me think about my leather shoes in a whole new way like I said we tested
in a whole new way like I said we tested
in a whole new way like I said we tested 21 heavy metals I just want to give you
21 heavy metals I just want to give you
21 heavy metals I just want to give you an idea of what it’s like at Kanpur
an idea of what it’s like at Kanpur
an idea of what it’s like at Kanpur where the tanneries are that’s chromium
where the tanneries are that’s chromium
where the tanneries are that’s chromium spikes right off the roof even with all
spikes right off the roof even with all
spikes right off the roof even with all the new recycling that the government’s
the new recycling that the government’s
the new recycling that the government’s trying to do we move downstream Indian
trying to do we move downstream Indian
trying to do we move downstream Indian traffic jam very typical India is a
traffic jam very typical India is a
traffic jam very typical India is a spectacular place it’s so rich in
spectacular place it’s so rich in
spectacular place it’s so rich in humanity practicality sometimes and
humanity practicality sometimes and
humanity practicality sometimes and functionality doesn’t always work but it
functionality doesn’t always work but it
functionality doesn’t always work but it is overcome with humanity it’s really
is overcome with humanity it’s really
is overcome with humanity it’s really wonderful we moved into Varanasi it is
wonderful we moved into Varanasi it is
wonderful we moved into Varanasi it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in
one of the oldest inhabited cities in
one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world people been living here for
the world people been living here for
the world people been living here for 5000 years again one of these are tea
5000 years again one of these are tea
5000 years again one of these are tea ceremonies Varanasi is considered sacred
ceremonies Varanasi is considered sacred
ceremonies Varanasi is considered sacred they perform Aarti in sacred cities
they perform Aarti in sacred cities
they perform Aarti in sacred cities again fire equals light equals humility
again fire equals light equals humility
again fire equals light equals humility people coming from the banks to watch it
people coming from the banks to watch it
people coming from the banks to watch it and then just downstream you can come
and then just downstream you can come
and then just downstream you can come here to pray and around the corner
here to pray and around the corner
here to pray and around the corner people come to die all this work and a
people come to die all this work and a
people come to die all this work and a bunch of essays I wrote were published
bunch of essays I wrote were published
bunch of essays I wrote were published on the National Geographic magazine
on the National Geographic magazine
on the National Geographic magazine proof blog recently I’m just going to
proof blog recently I’m just going to
proof blog recently I’m just going to read you the opening sentence of the
read you the opening sentence of the
read you the opening sentence of the blog that went with the Varanasi story
blog that went with the Varanasi story
blog that went with the Varanasi story when you step off a wooden boat onto the
when you step off a wooden boat onto the
when you step off a wooden boat onto the banks of the Burning God in the oldest
banks of the Burning God in the oldest
banks of the Burning God in the oldest of India’s cities and you weave through
of India’s cities and you weave through
of India’s cities and you weave through a maze of funeral pyres hissing steaming
a maze of funeral pyres hissing steaming
a maze of funeral pyres hissing steaming and spitting orange embers into the inky
and spitting orange embers into the inky
and spitting orange embers into the inky night and you feel the metrodome clang
night and you feel the metrodome clang
night and you feel the metrodome clang of bells vibrating inside your chest and
of bells vibrating inside your chest and
of bells vibrating inside your chest and a wave of furnace like heat consuming
a wave of furnace like heat consuming
a wave of furnace like heat consuming everything in its reach you realize how
everything in its reach you realize how
everything in its reach you realize how removed you truly are from the ritual of
removed you truly are from the ritual of
removed you truly are from the ritual of death that was the most run-on sentence
death that was the most run-on sentence
death that was the most run-on sentence I’ve ever written in my life but I liked
I’ve ever written in my life but I liked
I’ve ever written in my life but I liked it
that was in the evening and the burning
that was in the evening and the burning Ghat this is in the morning back here at
Ghat this is in the morning back here at
Ghat this is in the morning back here at 4:30 in the morning very challenging to
4:30 in the morning very challenging to
4:30 in the morning very challenging to get access you’re not supposed to
get access you’re not supposed to
get access you’re not supposed to photograph here it took me three days to
photograph here it took me three days to
photograph here it took me three days to get access very powerful place to be you
get access very powerful place to be you
get access very powerful place to be you see the the goats eating flowers the
see the the goats eating flowers the
see the the goats eating flowers the doves that’s a femur bone these are all
doves that’s a femur bone these are all
doves that’s a femur bone these are all the ashes and bodies that have been
the ashes and bodies that have been
the ashes and bodies that have been burned and the belief is that if you are
burned and the belief is that if you are
burned and the belief is that if you are burned on the banks of the Ganges and in
burned on the banks of the Ganges and in
burned on the banks of the Ganges and in Varanasi specifically and your ashes are
Varanasi specifically and your ashes are
Varanasi specifically and your ashes are thrown into the Ganges River which
thrown into the Ganges River which
thrown into the Ganges River which you’re seeing right here that’s human
you’re seeing right here that’s human
you’re seeing right here that’s human ash that you will achieve a level of
ash that you will achieve a level of
ash that you will achieve a level of moksha in the Hindu religion and moksha
moksha in the Hindu religion and moksha
moksha in the Hindu religion and moksha means you’ll break the cycle of birth
means you’ll break the cycle of birth
means you’ll break the cycle of birth and rebirth you will not come back into
and rebirth you will not come back into
and rebirth you will not come back into this world you’ll not come back as a
this world you’ll not come back as a
this world you’ll not come back as a cricket or a cow or another human
cricket or a cow or another human
cricket or a cow or another human whatever you will actually go to heaven
whatever you will actually go to heaven
whatever you will actually go to heaven so many people actually will come to die
so many people actually will come to die
so many people actually will come to die in Varanasi
in Varanasi
in Varanasi it’s that important to them to reach
it’s that important to them to reach
it’s that important to them to reach heaven this way and one challenge though
heaven this way and one challenge though
heaven this way and one challenge though of course is burning all these bodies
of course is burning all these bodies
of course is burning all these bodies uses a tremendous amount of wood it can
uses a tremendous amount of wood it can
uses a tremendous amount of wood it can take 1,100 pounds of logs to burn one
take 1,100 pounds of logs to burn one
take 1,100 pounds of logs to burn one large body 50 to 60 million trees from
large body 50 to 60 million trees from
large body 50 to 60 million trees from the Himalaya are getting cut down you
the Himalaya are getting cut down you
the Himalaya are getting cut down you see them getting barged up to the
see them getting barged up to the
see them getting barged up to the burning ghat here a very complicated
burning ghat here a very complicated
burning ghat here a very complicated situation and of course this is a very
situation and of course this is a very
situation and of course this is a very common sight when you get further down
common sight when you get further down
common sight when you get further down the stream this is just 200 yards from
the stream this is just 200 yards from
the stream this is just 200 yards from the Ganges just a very typical drainage
the Ganges just a very typical drainage
the Ganges just a very typical drainage of course it stems much in part from the
of course it stems much in part from the
of course it stems much in part from the Ganges as God I mean a Ganges gonna
Ganges as God I mean a Ganges gonna
Ganges as God I mean a Ganges gonna clean itself
clean itself
clean itself God doesn’t big deal if you pollute God
God doesn’t big deal if you pollute God
God doesn’t big deal if you pollute God who God is all-powerful goddess however
who God is all-powerful goddess however
who God is all-powerful goddess however you perceive it we moved further
you perceive it we moved further
you perceive it we moved further downstream all the way to papanov place
downstream all the way to papanov place
downstream all the way to papanov place a few people go and of course we left
a few people go and of course we left
a few people go and of course we left the crazy monsoon storm with three feet
the crazy monsoon storm with three feet
the crazy monsoon storm with three feet at the top and we entered into a cyclone
at the top and we entered into a cyclone
at the top and we entered into a cyclone we figured what the hell we got to make
we figured what the hell we got to make
we figured what the hell we got to make it to the end though it was raining so
it to the end though it was raining so
it to the end though it was raining so hard my eyelids were peeling back I felt
hard my eyelids were peeling back I felt
hard my eyelids were peeling back I felt like had a sandblaster on my face didn’t
like had a sandblaster on my face didn’t
like had a sandblaster on my face didn’t stop these guys these guys are out
stop these guys these guys are out
stop these guys these guys are out celebrating and Full Tilt of festival
celebrating and Full Tilt of festival
celebrating and Full Tilt of festival called Durga Puja good over evil and
called Durga Puja good over evil and
called Durga Puja good over evil and they built these big big statues of
they built these big big statues of
they built these big big statues of their deities and they bring him down
their deities and they bring him down
their deities and they bring him down and of course they offer him to monga
and of course they offer him to monga
and of course they offer him to monga mother Ganges offer these offerings to
mother Ganges offer these offerings to
mother Ganges offer these offerings to the god of course the
the god of course the
the god of course the is bigger now it’s got a bigger current
is bigger now it’s got a bigger current
is bigger now it’s got a bigger current it’s wider but all of these offerings
it’s wider but all of these offerings
it’s wider but all of these offerings just sort of float and collect on the
just sort of float and collect on the
just sort of float and collect on the banks and many of them will have lead
banks and many of them will have lead
banks and many of them will have lead paint and plastic and whatnot they’re
paint and plastic and whatnot they’re
paint and plastic and whatnot they’re not all biodegradable further downstream
not all biodegradable further downstream
not all biodegradable further downstream we moved across in Dibango the last
we moved across in Dibango the last
we moved across in Dibango the last state on the Ganges Durga Puja continued
state on the Ganges Durga Puja continued
state on the Ganges Durga Puja continued and raged through the night here all the
and raged through the night here all the
and raged through the night here all the villages were building their statues and
villages were building their statues and
villages were building their statues and come and giving offer and putting on the
come and giving offer and putting on the
come and giving offer and putting on the MAL ISM and then carrying them and then
MAL ISM and then carrying them and then
MAL ISM and then carrying them and then throwing them into Ganges is a great
throwing them into Ganges is a great
throwing them into Ganges is a great offering in Calcutta on the southern
offering in Calcutta on the southern
offering in Calcutta on the southern edge in the Indian side of the the Delta
edge in the Indian side of the the Delta
edge in the Indian side of the the Delta we’ve now come about 1,500 miles this is
we’ve now come about 1,500 miles this is
we’ve now come about 1,500 miles this is one of the main shipping lanes for
one of the main shipping lanes for
one of the main shipping lanes for Calcutta and in a very typical scene you
Calcutta and in a very typical scene you
Calcutta and in a very typical scene you have somebody praying somebody drinking
have somebody praying somebody drinking
have somebody praying somebody drinking water
water
water somebody washing their hair somebody
somebody washing their hair somebody
somebody washing their hair somebody collecting sacred Gangaajal that are
collecting sacred Gangaajal that are
collecting sacred Gangaajal that are going to be back to their village back
going to be back to their village back
going to be back to their village back to the our water data this whole concept
to the our water data this whole concept
to the our water data this whole concept of the river coming back to life is
of the river coming back to life is
of the river coming back to life is interesting because there’s a thing like
interesting because there’s a thing like
interesting because there’s a thing like they’re calling The X Factor they
they’re calling The X Factor they
they’re calling The X Factor they believe it’s related to bacteria phages
believe it’s related to bacteria phages
believe it’s related to bacteria phages that if all these people are coming to
that if all these people are coming to
that if all these people are coming to the river every day and they’re treating
the river every day and they’re treating
the river every day and they’re treating it like a bathroom why are they not
it like a bathroom why are they not
it like a bathroom why are they not getting sicker
getting sicker
getting sicker well the oxygen level does return and
well the oxygen level does return and
well the oxygen level does return and oxygen actually helps to to support
oxygen actually helps to to support
oxygen actually helps to to support these bacteria phages which eat bacteria
these bacteria phages which eat bacteria
these bacteria phages which eat bacteria and that’s one theory why these
and that’s one theory why these
and that’s one theory why these epidemics cholera epidemics haven’t
epidemics cholera epidemics haven’t
epidemics cholera epidemics haven’t occurred with 1 million people coming
occurred with 1 million people coming
occurred with 1 million people coming for certain festivals and whatnot
for certain festivals and whatnot
for certain festivals and whatnot so there is some element of a curative
so there is some element of a curative
so there is some element of a curative power to this river and after six weeks
power to this river and after six weeks
power to this river and after six weeks traveling 1550 miles roughly three
traveling 1550 miles roughly three
traveling 1550 miles roughly three vertical miles in theory we were free of
vertical miles in theory we were free of
vertical miles in theory we were free of sin because believe me I did wade walk
sin because believe me I did wade walk
sin because believe me I did wade walk swim fall in to the Ganges many times on
swim fall in to the Ganges many times on
swim fall in to the Ganges many times on this trip yes I was free of sin and I
this trip yes I was free of sin and I
this trip yes I was free of sin and I was free of 35 pounds I lost a bit of
was free of 35 pounds I lost a bit of
was free of 35 pounds I lost a bit of weight it’s a good weight loss program
weight it’s a good weight loss program
weight it’s a good weight loss program we reached the Bay of Bengal at Sagar
we reached the Bay of Bengal at Sagar
we reached the Bay of Bengal at Sagar Island where you can come give an
Island where you can come give an
Island where you can come give an offering to my Ganga to the river to
offering to my Ganga to the river to
offering to my Ganga to the river to this pack of stray dogs that all are
this pack of stray dogs that all are
this pack of stray dogs that all are related
so there is the Ganges just to give you
so there is the Ganges just to give you a little overlay of the locations and
a little overlay of the locations and
a little overlay of the locations and the water testing this is the heavy
the water testing this is the heavy
the water testing this is the heavy metal testing you see some heavy spikes
metal testing you see some heavy spikes
metal testing you see some heavy spikes on the Yamuna River which is basically
on the Yamuna River which is basically
on the Yamuna River which is basically flushing out New Delhi and all the
flushing out New Delhi and all the
flushing out New Delhi and all the industry there Agra of course is the
industry there Agra of course is the
industry there Agra of course is the lower part of that so it somehow
lower part of that so it somehow
lower part of that so it somehow digests a lot of that heavy metal input
digests a lot of that heavy metal input
digests a lot of that heavy metal input and puts it at bay to a degree but it’s
and puts it at bay to a degree but it’s
and puts it at bay to a degree but it’s not gonna last
not gonna last
not gonna last now the new Prime Minister of India Modi
now the new Prime Minister of India Modi
now the new Prime Minister of India Modi has actually budgeted and this is very
has actually budgeted and this is very
has actually budgeted and this is very new it’s very recent 340 million dollars
new it’s very recent 340 million dollars
new it’s very recent 340 million dollars to clean up the Ganges so there is some
to clean up the Ganges so there is some
to clean up the Ganges so there is some hope there are people listening there
hope there are people listening there
hope there are people listening there paying attention this was some of our
paying attention this was some of our
paying attention this was some of our other testing nitrates are very high at
other testing nitrates are very high at
other testing nitrates are very high at the top of the river there’s probably
the top of the river there’s probably
the top of the river there’s probably blowing in from China from fertilizer
blowing in from China from fertilizer
blowing in from China from fertilizer you can see the temperature basically
you can see the temperature basically
you can see the temperature basically steadily drop and this is oxygen the
steadily drop and this is oxygen the
steadily drop and this is oxygen the main one so you see the river try to
main one so you see the river try to
main one so you see the river try to come back to life which is unusual but
come back to life which is unusual but
come back to life which is unusual but it slowly it turns into nearly a dead
it slowly it turns into nearly a dead
it slowly it turns into nearly a dead river at the end but I want you to
river at the end but I want you to
river at the end but I want you to remember not the river for its data or
remember not the river for its data or
remember not the river for its data or its contamination I want you to remember
its contamination I want you to remember
its contamination I want you to remember it for its sound so I have one more
it for its sound so I have one more
it for its sound so I have one more India video it’s just a minute and a
India video it’s just a minute and a
India video it’s just a minute and a half long
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
so all the rivers in our all the water
so all the rivers in our all the water in our rivers and our ecosystems our
in our rivers and our ecosystems our
in our rivers and our ecosystems our water table is very limited and no
water table is very limited and no
water table is very limited and no matter where you live in Washington DC
matter where you live in Washington DC
matter where you live in Washington DC or you live in Colorado where I do or
or you live in Colorado where I do or
or you live in Colorado where I do or you live in India I like to urge people
you live in India I like to urge people
you live in India I like to urge people that I think all these rivers and all
that I think all these rivers and all
that I think all these rivers and all our water systems should be sacred
our water systems should be sacred
our water systems should be sacred because they all are scarce thank you
because they all are scarce thank you
because they all are scarce thank you very much
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
”
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