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Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
3 Episodes 2014 - 2014
Episode 1
The Nile
Adventurer Simon Reeve travels from source to sea along the world's longest river, the Nile. His journey will take him from the holy source of the Blue Nile in the Ethiopian highlands, through the desert of Sudan and onward through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. The life-giving river has forged some of our earliest civilizations and influenced some of our greatest religions. But with populations along its banks rising fast, Nile countries are demanding an ever-greater share of the sacred waters, threatening the stability of the entire region.
Episode 2
The Ganges
Simon Reeve follows the sacred waters of the Ganges from source to sea, exploring how India's economy has affected its religious culture. Along the way he meets westerners in Rishikesh seeking spiritual enlightenment, takes a holy dip in the fast-flowing waters at Haridwar and discovers how the river is being severely polluted in Kanpur. While there, Simon hears allegations that holy cows are secretly being slaughtered to fuel a booming leather trade. Finally, at Sagar Island in the Indian Ocean, Simon wonders how long India's age-old sacred river can survive its economic boom.
Episode 3
The Yangtze
Simon follows the mighty 'Yellow' river that irrigates and feeds most of China, while remaining a world class trade route. Riverine populations are as varied as the native Naxi people, the amazing Dazu rock-carved Buddhist monastic complex and the metropolis Chongkin. The giant Three Gorges dam transforms the country supplying lots of electricity and re-routing water and fertile sediment, at a major cost of displaced people and wildlife, while experts doubts the mega-project's long-term safety and fear various ecological consequences.
