Explained: Why Yamuna Remains Polluted Despite All The Efforts To Clean It

The Yamuna river is the longest tributary (a river that flows into another larger river) in India. Yamuna is the sub-basin of the Ganga basin.

It is a large basin that is spread across seven states namely Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR.

The water from the river is used for a range of activities like irrigation, drinking, industries, bathing, laundry etc. It is also considered one of the sacred rivers of India where people throw the cremated ashes of their loved ones, and devotees worship and immerse idols of their god(s).

The river Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers of India.

What are the sources of pollution?

AFP

Domestic wastewater, industrial effluents, idol immersion, pesticide residue, untreated sewage are some of the sources of pollution of river Yamuna.

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.

How does Delhi contribute to pollution?

Around 90% of wastewater from households pours into the river untreated. This wastewater comprises laundry detergents and other chemicals increasing the phosphate content in the water leading to the formation of froth.

The same goes for industrial effluents and sewage that are discharged into the river without being treated. Only 35% out of total estimated sewage discharge undergoes treatment. Other factors like idol immersion also contribute to pollution. The lead, plaster of paris (POP) and chrome paints used in making the idols also pollute the water after they are immersed. Not only this, but all the overlooked things like polythene bags, decoration items, metal polishes etc. are also a contributing factor.

Delhi¡¯s dependence on Yamuna

BCCL

The Delhi stretch of the Yamuna river is about 22 km starting from Wazirabad barrage to Okhla barrage (Sharma and Kansal). This stretch alone is responsible for 76% of the rivers¡¯ pollution but this stretch is also the main source of raw water for the capital. This roughly accounts for 70% of Delhi¡¯s water supply which roughly translates to 57 million people.

The role of ammonia

Recently, ammonia levels in Yamuna have risen. Over the past weekend, the ammonia levels have been fluctuating reaching upto five times above the treatable limit of 0.9ppm.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) which is the governing body responsible for water supply in the capital has issued an SOS.

Ammonia levels in water are harmful for the aquatic life as well. It changes the pH of water making it more alkaline. The mysterious death of fishes can also be linked to ammonia toxicity.

The Yamuna Action Plan

File Photo

The Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) is a river restoration project introduced in 1993. It is a bilateral project between the government of India and Japan where Japan offered loan assistance for the implementation of YAP.

Subsequently, two phases YAP II and YAP III were initiated in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Unfortunately, the mission to clean Ganga and Yamuna which includes YAP has failed according to the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Forests.

References:

¡°Basin Details: Yamuna Basin Organisation | Yamuna Basin Organisation.¡± Central Water Commission, 13 December 2019. Accessed 19 April 2022.

¡°'Clean Ganga and Yamuna mission a failure.'¡± Down To Earth, 18 May 2012. Accessed 19 April 2022.

¡°Pollution in the River Yamuna ¨C Rejuvenation of The River Yamuna.¡± Rejuvenation of The River Yamuna. Accessed 19 April 2022.

Sharma, Deepshika, and Arun Kansal. Current condition of the Yamuna River - an overview of flow, pollution load and human use.

Sharma, Deepshika, and Arun Kansal. The status and effects of the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP).

Singh, Paras. ¡°Yamuna pollution levels bounce past limit again | Latest News Delhi.¡± Hindustan Times, 17 April 2022, Accessed 19 April 2022.

Tewary, P. ¡°Yamuna River Pollution and Sustainable Solutions for the Future.¡± Earth5R, 22 July 2020, Accessed 19 April 2022.

Tewary, P. ¡°Yamuna River Pollution and Sustainable Solutions for the Future.¡± Earth5R, 22 July 2020, Accessed 19 April 2022.

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