Yamuna River: A Tale Of Pollution And Neglect

The Yamuna River, which flows about 855 miles (1,376 kilometres) from the Himalayas through several Indian states, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Nearly 57 million people depend on the Yamuna's waters, which account for more than 70% of Delhi's water supply. The river's pollution is caused by a variety of factors, including discharge from industries, untreated sewage, agricultural waste, and idols immersed during festivals coated in toxic paints and polythene bags. The most polluted section of the river is between the Wazirabad and Okhla barrages, a 22-kilometre stretch that accounts for nearly 80% of the Yamuna's total pollution.

Population growth and urbanisation

One of the main consequences of population growth and urbanisation is the increase in domestic waste. The river receives about 85% of its total pollution from domestic sources in urban areas. This waste consists of organic matter, microorganisms, detergents, grease, and salts, which are discharged into the river through various drains in the National Capital Region. The high population density in these urban areas contributes to the large volume of domestic waste entering the river.

Another consequence of population growth and urbanisation is the development of industrial zones along the river. Cities and industrial areas, such as Yamunanagar, Panipat, Ghaziabad, Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, and Baghpat, have emerged along the Yamuna's course. These industrial zones are home to various industries, including oil refineries, distilleries, pulp, pharmaceutical, chemical, electroplating, weaving, and sugar factories. The industrial effluents released by these industries are a significant source of heavy metal pollution in the river, with iron (Fe) being the most abundant metal detected.

The combination of domestic and industrial waste has led to a high concentration of pollutants in the river. Untreated or partially treated sewage, along with agricultural waste, has resulted in the river having high levels of ammonia and phosphates, which can cause respiratory and skin problems for those who come into contact with the water. The river's water quality has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer suitable for human use, and alternative sources, such as bottled water, are being used for religious rituals that once involved the river's sacred waters.

Furthermore, population growth and urbanisation have led to the construction of numerous drains and canals that crisscross the river and its watershed. These drains, such as the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains, discharge a heavy load of pollutants directly into the river. The complex network of drains and canals contributes to the spread of pollution and makes it challenging to manage and control the river's water quality.

The impact of population growth and urbanisation on the Yamuna River's pollution is evident, and it has resulted in a decline in water quality that poses risks to both ecological systems and public health. The river, once revered for its sacred and life-giving properties, now faces the challenge of being severely polluted and in need of sustainable solutions to restore its health.

Industrial and domestic wastewater

The Yamuna River, a vital water source in India, is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the country. It is a lifeline for the millions of Indians who worship it as sacred, but human activities have severely polluted the river. The primary cause of pollution in the river, accounting for around 85%, is domestic wastewater.

Domestic wastewater from household activities, such as detergents, laundry chemicals, and phosphate compounds, finds its way into the river through various drainages in the National Capital Region. The high phosphate concentration, at 0.51 mg/litre compared to the normal range of 0.005 to 0.05 mg/litre, has formed layers of toxic froth on the river. This toxic froth, a mixture of sewage and industrial waste, contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates, causing respiratory and skin problems for those who come into contact with it.

The rapid urbanization and population growth in the catchment area of the River Yamuna in Delhi have also contributed to the problem. This highly urbanized area is networked with several drains, such as the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains, which discharge a heavy load of pollutants into the river. The river receives about 800 million litres of untreated sewage each day, with only an estimated 35% of the sewage being treated before release.

Industrial effluents are another significant source of pollution, contributing 10 to 20% of the total pollution load. These effluents introduce heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, chromium, iron, and zinc into the river, along with other inorganic and organic wastes. Industries such as oil refineries, distilleries, pulp, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electroplating, weaving, and sugar contribute to the degradation of Yamuna's water quality.

The high levels of pollution in the Yamuna River have had severe consequences for both ecological systems and public health. The river, once known for its clear blue waters, now faces a decline in fish and turtle populations. The water has become dark and filled with trash, and the riverbed is covered in toxic froth. The pollution has also impacted the religious practices of Hindus, with many opting to use bottled water for worship instead of river water and avoiding ritual baths in the river due to health concerns.

Agricultural and plastic waste

The Yamuna River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. It is a sacred river in India, worshipped by millions, and is a habitat for fish for an approximately 1,400-kilometre stretch. The river's waters are used for irrigation, domestic water supply, and industrial purposes. However, due to high-density population growth, rapid urbanization, and fast industrialization, the Yamuna has become severely degraded.

Agricultural waste is one of the main sources of pollution in the Yamuna River. The river receives agricultural runoff from nearby farms, which can contain pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. In addition, the river is used to irrigate agricultural lands, and the runoff from these fields can carry pollutants back into the river. The Delhi High Court has recognized the problem of sewage in the capital, with only 55% of the population connected to a sewage system. The waste from the remaining 45% flows into the Yamuna River, causing further degradation.

Plastic waste is another significant contributor to the pollution of the Yamuna River. Rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management systems have led to a constant influx of plastic waste into the river. Plastic waste enters the river through riverside slums with poor garbage collection systems and open drains. This waste includes thin plastic sheets, plastic trimmings from the industrial sector, and household plastic waste. The lack of proper waste disposal and recycling infrastructure exacerbates the problem, allowing plastic to accumulate in the river.

The presence of microplastics, plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, has been detected in the Yamuna River. These microplastics can be ingested by aquatic creatures, leading to poisoning and potential ecological consequences. The accumulation of plastic waste in the river has become a severe environmental issue, with clean-up drives requiring significant effort and resources to address the problem.

The pollution in the Yamuna River has had a significant impact on the people and wildlife that depend on it. The river is no longer used for ritual bathing or drinking water by Hindus, and bottled water is used in holy shrines. Large turtles, once a common sight on the river, have mostly disappeared. The degradation of the Yamuna River underscores the urgent need for improved waste management, sewage treatment, and environmental protection measures to restore the health of this sacred and ecologically important waterway.

Religious practices

The Yamuna River is highly venerated in Hinduism and worshipped as the goddess Yamuna. In Hindu culture, bathing in sacred rivers like the Yamuna is a spiritual practice believed to purify the body and soul. The last rites of the dead are also performed at its banks. However, the severe pollution in the Yamuna poses a significant challenge, threatening both public health and cultural traditions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of dead bodies were found floating in the Yamuna as villagers dumped corpses in the river instead of cremating them, out of fear of contracting the virus. Religious festivals, such as Chhath Puja, where fasting women offer 'arghya' (a Vedic practice of offering water to the sun) standing in knee-deep waters, also contribute to the river's pollution. Despite the deadly pollution, many devotees wade through the toxic foam to bathe and pray in the river.

In addition to religious practices, the discharge of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural waste are the main sources of the Yamuna's degradation. The river receives about 800 million litres of largely untreated sewage and 44 million litres of industrial effluents daily. The water contains high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, with concentrations reaching 1.1 billion per 100 millilitres, far exceeding the safe standard for bathing of 500 coliform bacteria per 100 millilitres.

Domestic wastewater, mainly from household activities, also contributes to the pollution, with high levels of detergents, laundry chemicals, and phosphate compounds found in the river. This abundance of phosphates forms layers of toxic froth, further exacerbating the issue. Religious offerings, such as flowers, incense, and food items, particularly during festivals like Ganapati Puja, add to the river's pollution.

The combination of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and religious practices has severely polluted the Yamuna River, endangering the health and cultural traditions of the millions of people who depend on its waters.

Lack of wastewater treatment

The Yamuna River is considered one of the most polluted rivers in India. Flowing about 855 miles (1,376 kilometres) from the Himalayas through several Indian states, the river is a vital water source for the country. However, the lack of wastewater treatment has significantly contributed to its degradation.

Untreated wastewater is a major reason for the Yamuna River's pollution, particularly in Delhi. The 22 km stretch of the river in Delhi, from the Wazirabad barrage to the Okhla Barrage, accounts for nearly 80% of the total pollution. Delhi receives 800 million litres of largely untreated sewage daily, with only an estimated 35% of sewage released into the river believed to be treated. This untreated sewage contains high levels of harmful bacteria, with the Central Pollution Board reporting a concentration of 1.1 billion faecal coliform bacteria per 100 millilitres of water—far exceeding the standard for safe bathing.

The inadequate sewage infrastructure and scarcity of wastewater treatment facilities have exacerbated the problem. Out of 35 sewage treatment plants in Delhi, 22 do not meet the wastewater standards prescribed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). This has resulted in the continuous discharge of poor-quality water from these plants into the river. Additionally, power failures, mechanical problems, and maintenance issues have, at times, led to untreated sewage flowing directly into the river.

The issue of untreated wastewater is not limited to Delhi. A report by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) revealed that Haryana discharged 1140 MLD of untreated or partially treated sewage per day into the Yamuna River. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 lockdown when industries were closed, domestic sewage continued to contribute to water pollution, highlighting the urgent need for improved domestic sewage treatment.

The pollution in the Yamuna River has severe ecological and public health consequences. The river, once known for its pristine blue waters, now suffers from high levels of industrial and domestic waste, including heavy metals and organic microplastics. The water quality has deteriorated to the extent that it poses health risks, with local authorities instructing residents to refrain from bathing in the river.

Frequently asked questions