The small shallow inflatables boats that will be used by the crew to navigate the narrow upper course, the clogged and shallow middle course and the deltaic lower course will be supplied by AB Inflatables, Leeman said.

Leeman, an adventurer and environmentalist, has travelled '4,000-km down the Mekong in China highlighting its pollution and threatened livelihoods along its banks, across six countries for three months down the Zambesi river in South Africa, and through the entire course of Amazonas (the Portuguese name for the Amazon) river in Brazil'.

'I was going through a study which said the Ganga may not continue to exist after 60 years. I want to highlight its condition and want people to use the river as a channel of transport,' Leeman told IANS.

'In the heartland of Africa, two million people die every year of malaria because the roads are blocked during the rainy season. African rivers are infested with crocodiles and are not always safe to travel in, but Indian rivers are safer. There are several trading points and large towns along the river. Using the river as a means of public transport will ensure its survival,' the river expedition expert said, comparing the Zmabesi and the Ganga.

The crew will document the journey on video and collect information about the climatic impact and endangered livelihoods along its bank. The video documentary will be screened at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, CEO of Green Cross Adam Koniuszewski said.

'We want to highlight the Ganga as a sustainable river tourism option. India is an important destination for Kuoni and we want to help preserve the bio-diversity along its river banks,' said Matthias Leisinger, head of the corporate responsibility for the Kuoni Group.

The Ganga, India's national river, and its tributaries spread across 1000,000 square-km fertile basin that supports one of the world's highest density of population. The average depth of the river is 52 ft. It is 2,510 km long. Studies cite that pollution in the Ganga affects nearly 400 million people along its banks.