The recovery of the bodies was probably either due to reduction in river flow or reduced water quantity in that part of the Ganga, Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat said in a written reply.

The recovered bodies were disposed off in accordance with social traditions to avoid environmental degradation and outbreak of diseases, he said.

"Government of Uttar Pradesh has issued directions to all the concerned district authorities to stop the practice of dumping of dead bodies directly into the rivers," the minister said.

Responding to another question, the Minister said that model cremation ghats on the banks of river Ganga and promoting eco friendly methods of cremation for safe disposal of the dead bodies have been given priority in the action plan drawn under Nammami Gange programme.

An expert committee has also been formed for evaluation of new technologies including options for innovative and improvised wood based crematorium, he added.

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