Ecological Violence and Slow Violence
The pollution of the Ganges is a clear example of what Rob Nixon terms "slow violence"—a form of violence that is gradual, cumulative, and often invisible, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations. Unlike immediate, explosive forms of violence, slow violence unfolds over time, making it difficult to address and even more challenging to mobilize against. The Ganges' pollution is not an overnight catastrophe but the result of decades of industrial waste, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff being dumped into the river, leading to its current state of degradation.
The degradation of the Ganges River is not merely an environmental disaster; it is the physical manifestation of the hidden violence embedded in high modernist development practices. These practices prioritize technological and industrial advancement at the expense of ecological and social well-being, perpetuating a cycle of destruction and marginalization. The slow violence inflicted upon the river and its surrounding communities underscores the need for a more integrated and ecologically sensitive approach to governance
