A report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that water at several locations in Prayagraj during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh did not meet primary bathing water quality standards due to high fecal coliform levels.
Introduction
- Rivers are an integral part of India’s cultural heritage and ecosystem. While India was one of the first countries to recognize rivers as “living entities,” pollution continues to threaten their health.
- Despite existing laws, projects, schemes and policies, pollution levels continue to rise.
- Water Quality Assessments: In a report from 2022, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified 311 polluted river stretches across 279 rivers in India.
- BOD Level: Among these, 46 stretches had a Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) greater than 30 mg/L, signifying high organic pollution and rendering the water unsafe for human consumption and harmful to aquatic life.
- Polluted River Stretches in India: Maharashtra has the highest number of polluted river stretches (55).
- Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh each have 6 highly polluted stretches.
- The Cooum River in Tamil Nadu has the most polluted stretch with a BOD of over 345 mg/L.
- In addition, a 2022-2023 CPCB report revealed that 52 out of 97 locations monitored in states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal had fecal coliform levels exceeding 2500 MPN/100 ml, indicating severe sewage contamination.
- Data Assessment: Under the National Water Quality Network, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), periodically assesses the quality of water in rivers.
- Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): A river stretch is classified as polluted (unsafe for bathing) if it has a Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) higher than 3 mg/L. BOD is a crucial indicator that reflects the amount of oxygen needed to break down organic material in water.
- Fecal Coliform (FC): Faecal coliform bacteria are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans. Fecal coliforms are often tested for in water quality assessments to determine whether water is safe for drinking, swimming, or other recreational activities.
- If FC is above 2500 MPN (most probable number)/100 ml then that water is highly toxic.
- FC in River Ganga: During the Maha Kumbh Mela, the CPCB reported that faecal coliform levels are far above the safe limit of 2,500 units per 100 millilitres of the River Ganga in Prayagraj.
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Major Causes of River Pollution
- Untreated Sewage: Untreated sewage is the leading cause of river pollution in India. According to the CPCB, over 60 percent of sewage in India is released untreated into rivers, severely compromising water quality and damaging both the aquatic ecosystem and public health.
- Example: 90 percent of Yamuna’s pollution is sewage
- Industrial Effluents: Untreated industrial wastewater, particularly from industries like chemicals, textiles, paper, and tanneries (place where leather is made by treating animal skin with chemicals), contains toxic chemicals that pollute water and harm aquatic life.
- Example: Supreme Court recently pointed out the irreversible damage caused by tanneries in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district, which discharge untreated effluents into the Palar River, labeling it as ecocide.
- Municipal Solid Waste: Improper waste management contributes significantly to river pollution. Millions of tons of solid waste are dumped into rivers each year, blocking water flow and damaging ecosystems.
- Example: Ganga receives millions of tons of plastic yearly.
- Agricultural Runoff: Runoff from agricultural activities introduces harmful pesticides and fertilizers into water bodies, leading to eutrophication and increased BOD, further degrading water quality.
- Example: Punjab’s Sutlej and Beas are heavily affected by pesticides.
- Sand Mining and Illegal Encroachments: Excessive sand mining and illegal encroachments disrupt natural river flows, increase flood risks, and contribute to pollution due to improper waste management.
- The Yamuna floodplain is heavily encroached.
Legal Framework and Policy Response
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: This act established the CPCB as the central authority for regulating environmental issues and set up the SPCBs at the state level for enforcement.
- Environment Protection Act, 1986: This umbrella legislation covers various aspects of environmental protection, including standards for industrial discharge.
- National Water Policy, 2012: The policy highlights the importance of safeguarding water bodies and addressing pollution arising from poor sanitation and inadequate sewage treatment facilities.
- River Rejuvenation Programmes: India has launched several river rejuvenation initiatives to combat pollution:
- Ganga Action Plan (GAP): Launched in 1985, the GAP aimed to improve water quality by intercepting and treating sewage. However, its impact was limited dispute spending of Rs. 20,000 crore
- Yamuna Action Plan: It was 1993 and was implemented in three phases but pollution in the river remained high.
- Namami Gange Programme (NGP): Introduced in 2014, the NGP took a more holistic approach to cleaning the Ganga River. It focuses on sewage treatment, but issues like illegal encroachments, industrial pollution, and waste dumping persist.
- By December 2024, only ₹19,271 crores had been spent on the NGP, which is less than half of the original target. There are still illegal encroachments and industrial waste issues.
Way Forward
- Community Participation and Awareness: Promoting community involvement and awareness about waste management practices can foster behavioral changes and reduce pollution.
- Example: Haridwar NGOs played a key role in Ganga cleanup.
- Technological Advancements: Adopting advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and, for real-time monitoring and effective waste management can significantly improve pollution control efforts.
- Example: Germany uses AI for pollution tracking for its Rhine River.
- Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance: Enforcing stricter regulations and penalties for industries that discharge untreated waste into rivers is essential for reducing industrial pollution.
- Example: Sweden and the Netherlands apply the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’, where industries responsible for pollution are financially liable for the cost of pollution cleanup and prevention.
- Sand Mining & Encroachment Control: Establishing local committees to monitor and regulate sand mining and illegal encroachments can help maintain the natural flow of rivers and prevent further pollution.
- Example: Kerala has set up local monitoring committees that ensure the regulation of sand mining activities and prevent encroachments along riverbanks.
- Effective Fund Utilization: Ensuring that funds allocated for river rejuvenation are utilized effectively and transparently is crucial for the success of pollution control programs.
- Example: In India, the Namami Gange Programme (NGP) has faced challenges in fund utilization, with only ₹19,271 crores spent by December 2024, well below the original target. Strengthening financial management and oversight can help achieve desired outcomes within the set timeframe.
Conclusion
Rivers are not just water sources; they are the lifelines of our civilization. Despite ongoing efforts, pollution continues to rise, requiring stricter actions and stronger enforcement. Combating this issue demands a combination of robust laws, increased awareness, and the use of advanced technology. As the saying goes, “A clean river means a healthy nation!”
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