Critics say the government's efforts have failed

He said interim measures such as banning the use of plastic bags and stopping the dumping of human and animal carcasses into the river could lessen its pollution.

"Waste management is dreadful in Varanasi and sewage treatment there can work only if people become more aware of how to conduct themselves around the river, admittedly not an easy task in a country where the river is considered holy," Mr Lloyd said.

Millions of Hindu pilgrims visit Varanasi regularly to take what they term as a holy dip.

But experts say this ancient ritual is leading to untreated sewage being dumped directly into the Ganges along with human and animal carcasses and other pollutants.

Human bodies are often consigned to the river here by relatives when they cannot afford proper cremation.

Court battle

Shantanu Misra of the Campaign for a Clean Ganges said many attempts have been made to clean up the river in the last 20 years.

Rubbish pollutes the river too

But, he said, river pollution increased every day.

The Indian Government has a long-term plan to clean up the Ganges.

The first part is already complete, but it has been heavily criticised by environmentalists as being ineffective.

The second part is embroiled in legal battles.

Mr Misra outlined plans for a cost-effective and safe system to clean up the stretch of the Ganges that passes through Varanasi.

This plan is not reliant on electric power, which can be erratic at times.

Instead, it moves sewage by the force of gravity, into ponds where it is treated biologically.

This removes the pesticides, heavy metals and other strong pollutants.

The technical name of the system is the Advanced Integrated Wastewater Oxidation Pond System which has been used in the United States.