Answer:

Introduction          

Water pollution is a result of human activities that make water unsafe for human use and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index”, 2018 report mentions that India is placed at 120th amongst 122 countries in the water quality index, with nearly 70% of surface water being contaminated.

Body 

Environmental and health impacts of water pollution in India

Environmental Impacts:

• Loss of Biodiversity: Aquatic life finds itself in hostile environments in polluted water bodies. E.g.: Gangetic River Dolphin has been pushed to the Endangered list of IUCN, primarily due to high pollution levels in Ganges.
• Soil Degradation: Contaminated water leads to poor soil quality. E.g.: Studies conducted in the polluted Yamuna river have shown that the crops and vegetables grown along the river or irrigated with its water contain heavy metals. 
• Degradation of Coral Reefs: Polluted water running into the sea affects coral reefs, which are essential for marine biodiversity. The Gulf of Mannar, home to India’s coral reefs, has been impacted by pollutants from various sources.
• Eutrophication: Nutrient-rich pollutants lead to the excessive growth of algae, creating dead zones in water bodies. Eg: Loktak Lake in Manipur has seen eutrophication, leading to a decrease in fish populations.

Health Impacts:

• Waterborne Diseases: Polluted water sources lead to diseases such as cholera and dysentery, states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have witnessed numerous outbreaks of waterborne diseases. As per National Health Report 2019, Acute diarrhoeal diseases caused the second highest morbidity at 21.83 per cent
• Heavy Metal Poisoning: Consumption of water contaminated with heavy metals can lead to serious health issues. E.g.: A 2021 report by IIT Kharagpur reveals that approximately 20% of India’s land area has dangerously high levels of arsenic in its groundwater, endangering more than 250 million people across the nation.
• Child Mortality: Contaminated water disproportionately impacts children, leading to high rates of child mortality. E.g.: Diarrhoea was the third leading cause of childhood mortality in India, and is responsible for 13% of all annual deaths in children under the age of 5 years.
• Cancer Risk: Chemical pollutants in water can be carcinogenic. Villages in Punjab near industrial belts have seen increased cases of cancer, presumably due to polluted water sources.

Measures that the government has taken to address this issue  

• Namami Gange Program: This initiative aims to clean river Ganga which provides water for 28% of the country’s resources and is home to roughly 43% of its people. For instance: Varanasi, a historic city along the Ganges, has upgraded sewage treatment plants, reducing pollutants entering the river.
• National Water Policy 2012: It has set clear guidelines for water quality, alongside strict penalties for non-compliance. E.g.: it advocates for River Basin Organizations that manage critical resources for rivers like the Godavari and Krishna, thereby promoting better water management and reducing pollution.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT): The NGT has played a vital role in controlling water pollution. E.g.: In 2017, it ordered the closure of industrial units in Bijnor and Amroha districts of Uttar Pradesh that were found to be discharging pollutants into the Ganges, setting a precedent for strict pollution controls.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Guidelines: Monitoring stations have been set up along rivers like the Yamuna near Delhi, allowing for early identification of pollution and corrective measures, such as installing water treatment facilities to purify the water.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: The mission targets holistic water resource management to improve public health standards.
• Community-Led Initiatives: In Rajasthan, groups like Tarun Bharat Sangh have been instrumental in reviving rivers and improving groundwater levels through community participation. Their efforts have widely supported by government.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Partnerships between government agencies and NGOs, such as WaterAid India, have led to educational programs in cities like Kolkata and Bangalore. They educate communities about the importance of clean water, leading to greater public involvement in local water management efforts.

Conclusion 

India’s multi-pronged approach to tackling water pollution is yielding positive results, both in environmental conservation and public health. With continued governmental focus and community participation, the country is well on its way to securing cleaner, safer water for all.