16 Rivers in Karnataka Highly Polluted: Revealed by Forest and Environment Minister of Karnataka

15 Dec 2023

Context: Recently, the Forest and Environment Minister of Karnataka, revealed that 16 rivers in Karnataka are polluted.

Rivers in Karnataka Highly Polluted

  • Major rivers in Karnataka, including Arkavati, Lakshmana Tirtha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Kaveri, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shinsha, Bhima and Netravati had found their names on the list of polluted water bodies. 
  • The concentration of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in River Arkavati had soared to more than 30 milligrammes per litre, making it the most polluted river in the state.
  • Tungabhadra, Bhadra, and Shinsha rivers, grappling with BOD concentrations of 6-10 mg per litre, were also distressingly contaminated. 
  • The remaining eight rivers had relatively lower BOD levels in the 3-6 mg per litre range.
Biological Oxygen Demand:

  • Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) represents the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms while they decompose organic matter under aerobic (oxygen is present) conditions at a specified temperature.
  • Indicator of Organic Pollution: BOD is used to gauge the level of organic pollutants in rivers, lakes, and streams. High levels of BOD indicate a high concentration of biodegradable material, often due to pollution.
  • Significance for Ecosystem Health: Low levels of BOD are usually an indicator of good water quality, suggesting the water body can support a healthy ecosystem. High BOD levels deplete oxygen, leading to anoxic conditions harmful to aquatic life.
  • Application in Wastewater Treatment: BOD analysis is crucial in wastewater treatment processes. It helps in assessing the effectiveness of treatment methods in removing organic waste.

River Pollution: Causes

  • Sewage and Discharge: 
    • Industrial Discharge: Factories and industrial plants often discharge chemicals and toxic waste directly into rivers.
    • Urban Runoff: Urban areas contribute pollutants such as oils, grease, heavy metals, and other chemicals through stormwater runoff.
    • Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides used in agriculture can run off into rivers, especially during rainfall. This runoff can increase nutrient levels in the water, leading to eutrophication.
  • Deforestation: Removing trees along riverbanks can increase erosion rates, leading to more sediments and pollutants entering rivers.
  • Airborne Pollutants: Pollutants from the air can settle in rivers. This includes particulate matter from vehicles, industries, and natural sources like volcanic ash.

Way Forward

  • Establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants: The Karnataka government established 24 Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) strategically placed to purify the contaminated water.
  • Citizen Participation and Coordinated effort: Need for sustained public awareness, community involvement and stricter enforcement of environmental laws.
  • Enhancing Underground Drainage Systems: The underground drainage systems require significant enhancements to improve efficiency and effectiveness. 
    • For Example: the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) emphasized enhancement for municipalities and panchayats to actively engage in the establishment of robust underground drainage systems and STPs. 

News Source: Down to Earth

 

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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