Context:

Organized by a voluntary body, the Mata Lalita Devi Seva Shram Trust — a programme with the theme of Yamuna Sansad — saw the participation of hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life formed a human chain along the banks of the Yamuna to raise awareness about the pollution in the river.

More on News:

• According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s data, the water quality of river Yamuna showed “high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD)” and “innumerable numbers of faecal coliform.”

Reasons for Pollution in Yamuna River:

• Domestic wastewater
• Industrial effluents
• Idol immersion
• Pesticide residue
• Untreated sewage
  • Most of the pollution occurs in the NCR stretch than in other places where the river flows. Only 2% of the river length flows through Delhi yet the city is responsible for about 76% of the total pollution load in the river. 

• River Rejuvenation:
  It is the process of restoring the natural flow and health of a river which has been damaged due to human activities like waste dumping, pollution, etc. 

• Need for Rejuvenation:

• • It can help to restore the natural habitats of plants and animals, promote biodiversity, and provide cleaner water for drinking and irrigation.
  • It help in boosting tourism and improve the livelihoods of associated people.
  • It can help to control floods and reduce the damage caused by them. 

Courts and Tribunals on River Yamuna:

• In 1994, SC summoned the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to explain the loopholes in cleaning Yamuna. Later, various stakeholders, including the Delhi, UP and Haryana governments became part of the case.
• In 2015, National Green Tribunal formed the ‘Maily Se Nirmal (from dirty to clean) Yamuna Revitalisation Plan, 2017’, which was set to be completed by 2017. 
• The draft NCR Regional Plan-2041 prepared by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has fixed 2026 as the new deadline to ensure ‘zero discharge of untreated sewage and industrial discharge into the Yamuna’.
• The National Green Tribunal has earlier directed the Delhi and Haryana governments to identify and address the sources of pollution in river Yamuna. 
• A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim ordered the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to ensure that action is taken against the erring industries responsible for causing pollution.
• The Delhi Jal Board needs to take care of the entire river ecosystem; the pollution level in the portion of the river passing Delhi also needs to be properly checked.”

Six-Point Action Plan to Clean Yamuna of the Delhi Government:

• The Delhi government has incorporated a “six-point action plan to clean Yamuna” into its comprehensive plan to transform Delhi into a “clean, beautiful and modern city” as part of the Budget proposal for 2023-24.
• Under the Yamuna cleaning programme, the government also plans to increase the sewer connectivity up to 100% households via the Chief Minister’s Free Sewer Connection Scheme.

News Source: The Indian Express