Jeremy Wade, famed from River Monsters, returns to the Ganga in his new Mighty Rivers series, revealing a river choked by deadly fish and industrial filth. Launched in January 2026, the episode traces pollution from the Sundarbans delta to Kanpur tanneries, sparking millions of views and outrage online.
Journey from Delta to Disaster Zones
Wade starts at Sundarbans, where giant fish vanished over 15 years, blaming overfishing and toxins. In Varanasi, he tests the yellow, sewage-laced waters devoid of life; no marine species survive the stench. Kanpur’s $12 billion leather industry emerges as the villain, dumping untreated chromium and chemicals directly into the river—”You can smell it before you see it.”
Deadly Goonch Catfish and Health Hazards
Echoing his 2008 Kali River hunt for man-eating goonch catfish, Wade links pollution to mutated “deadly fish” thriving in filth. Communities face cancer spikes and dying livestock from tainted water. Upstream in Uttarakhand, clean stretches host healthy mahseer, proving revival is possible with enforcement.
Viral Backlash Ignites Cleanup Calls
The clips exploded on Instagram and Facebook, with 2M+ views criticizing failed Namami Gange projects despite ₹20,000 crore spent. Netizens demand factory shutdowns over election-tied inaction. Wade’s stark footage pressures regulators, blending ecology with accountability for Maa Ganga’s survival.
Hope Amid the Horror
Wade spotlights Uttarakhand’s thriving fisheries as a blueprint: strict rules revived sections. As 2026 unfolds, his investigation fuels petitions and media storms, urging India to match intent with action against polluters.
