Meghan Hodges
The Yamuna River, a sacred body of water in ancient Hinduism, has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The river is particularly polluted downstream of New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. Despite various action plans and administrative efforts, the river remains severely polluted due to untreated sewage, industrial waste, and population growth. The pollution has endangered the Yamuna, making it difficult for residents to use the river for personal hygiene and challenging its reputation as a source of spiritual rejuvenation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population growth and fast industrialisation | High-density |
| River stretch with "reasonably good quality" water | From its origin at Yamunotri to Okhla barrage |
| Percentage of Delhi's waste dumped into the river | 58% |
| Percentage of total river pollution contributed by the stretch between Wazirabad barrage and Okhla barrage | 80% |
| Main reasons for Yamuna's pollution in Delhi | Untreated wastewater and poor quality of water discharged from wastewater treatment plants |
| Number of sewage treatment plants working below capacity | 15 out of 32 |
| Number of industrial units sealed for violating anti-pollution norms | 9 |
| Pollutants | Ammonia, coliform bacteria, sewage, effluents, plastic garbage, soil erosion |
| Biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels at Palla | 2mg/litre |
| BOD levels at Asgarpur | 85mg/l |
| Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels from Wazirabad Barrage in Delhi to Agra | 0.0 mg/l to 3.7 mg/l |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth and industrialisation
The Yamuna River is one of India's major rivers and is considered a vital water source, providing drinking water to Delhi and supporting irrigation. With a dense population of nearly 57 million people dependent on its waters, the river has been facing significant pollution challenges due to population growth and industrialisation.
The river stretches approximately 1,370 kilometres and flows through heavily populated areas such as Delhi, Mathura, and Agra. The high population density in these areas results in a significant amount of wastewater generation, contributing to the river's pollution. Delhi, for example, produces 2,51,674 tonnes of plastic annually, with half of it being single-use plastic. This plastic waste often ends up in the river, along with other trash, turning the river into a dumping ground.
Moreover, rapid population growth and urbanisation have led to increased sewage discharge into the river. It is estimated that about 800 million litres of largely untreated sewage are pumped into the Yamuna each day. This untreated sewage contains high levels of detergents, laundry chemicals, and phosphate compounds, further degrading the water quality. The high concentration of phosphate, in particular, has been found to exceed the normal range, posing a health risk to millions.
In addition to population growth, industrialisation has also played a significant role in polluting the Yamuna River. Industrial zones located along the river contribute to the degradation of water quality with their discharge of industrial waste and effluents. Yamuna Nagar, the second-largest industrial city in Haryana, faces challenges due to high waste generation attributed to population growth and industrial expansion. The river receives approximately 44 million litres of industrial effluents daily, introducing heavy metals and other toxic chemicals into the water.
The combination of population growth and industrialisation has resulted in the Yamuna River becoming one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The river is now classified as "Category E," indicating that it is unfit for aquatic life and limited to recreational and industrial cooling purposes only. The once pristine blue waters of the Yamuna have turned dark and lifeless, posing a severe threat to the health and well-being of the millions who depend on it.
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Sewage treatment plants
The Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges, is revered as sacred by Hindus. However, despite its esteemed status, the river has become one of the most polluted in the world, particularly downstream of New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into it. The main source of pollution is untreated wastewater and poor-quality water discharged from wastewater treatment plants.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993, which includes the construction of sewage treatment plants (STPs). However, despite these efforts, the river remains severely polluted due to several factors related to the STPs. Firstly, out of the 40 STPs in Delhi, around 8 are non-operational, contributing to the river's pollution. Additionally, the functioning STPs are working below their capacities, further exacerbating the problem. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), responsible for managing sewage, is treating only about 54% of the total sewage generated in the city.
The ineffectiveness of the STPs can be attributed to various reasons. One significant issue is the lack of sufficient funding for these facilities, resulting in inadequate maintenance and upgrades. Additionally, the rapid increase in Delhi's population has outpaced the capacity of the existing STPs, leading to an overload of sewage that cannot be adequately treated. Moreover, there is a disconnect between the sewage system and the treatment plants, with untreated wastewater flowing directly into the river through 15 drains between the Wazirabad barrage and Okhla barrage.
To combat these issues, the Delhi government has initiated the "Mission Yamuna Cleanup," which aims to connect all city drains to enhanced STPs and build common effluent plants in industrial areas. The goal is to transform the Yamuna into a tourism and cultural hub, inspired by the Sabarmati riverfront project. The government has also undertaken mega projects to tap into sub-drains carrying untreated wastewater and ensure that only treated effluent flows into the river. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued orders for the installation of STPs and decentralised sewage treatment plants (DSTPs) as part of the Yamuna rejuvenation plan.
While efforts are being made to improve the situation, the pollution of the Yamuna River remains a complex and challenging issue. The success of the initiatives will depend on effective implementation, sufficient funding, and a change in public attitudes towards the river and the importance of keeping it clean.
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Ritual pollution
The Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges, is considered sacred by Hindus. In the Padma Purana, the river is described as having purifying properties, with the power to cleanse the mind of sin and free one from the torments of death. Traditionally, Hindus would bathe in the sacred waters, drink from it, and use its water for worship. However, due to the river's severe pollution, many Hindus no longer perform these rituals with the Yamuna's waters and instead use bottled water in holy shrines.
Despite the river's polluted state, some religious figures and devotees continue to perform rituals in the river. During Chhath Puja celebrations, devotees wade through dense layers of toxic foam to offer prayers. The foam is caused by a combination of pollutants, including chemicals from industries and sewage from households, agricultural fields, and open drains. The presence of heavy metals in the water, such as iron and chromium, poses significant health risks, including reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, and nervous system damage.
The immersion of idols during festivals with cheap lead and chrome paints, plaster of Paris, and other offerings such as polythene bags, flowers, and plastic sheets also contributes to the river's pollution. Despite efforts to improve water quality, such as the Yamuna Action Plan implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the river remains severely polluted.
The Braj region is where the worship of the Yamuna and its pollution is most pronounced. While some religious figures, such as pilgrim priests of Mathura and Vrindavan, believe that the physical pollution of the river does not affect its spiritual purity, others insist that the river has the power to liberate them, regardless of its polluted state.
The ritual significance of the Yamuna River has deep roots in Indian culture and religion. However, the severe pollution of the river poses significant health risks to those who continue to perform rituals and depend on its waters. While efforts have been made to improve water quality, the river remains in a critical state, and coordinated action is needed to rejuvenate it.
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Plastic pollution
The primary source of plastic pollution in the Yamuna is improper waste disposal, with people disposing of their plastic waste through open drains that lead directly to the river. This includes household garbage, often tied in plastic bags, and other solid waste. Social and religious practices also contribute to plastic pollution, with people dumping sacred detritus, such as flowers, incense, and food offerings, into the river during rituals. In addition, the immersion of idols during festivals, made from materials such as polythene and plastic sheets, adds to the plastic waste in the river.
The impact of plastic pollution on the Yamuna is evident in the dark and sludgy appearance of the water, with plastic waste lining its banks. Despite a ban on single-use plastics in 2017, plastic pollution continues to be a problem, indicating a lack of effective waste management strategies.
Volunteer efforts have been made to clean up the river, with groups removing plastic and other rubbish from the river and its banks. However, a more comprehensive and sustained approach is needed to address the plastic pollution in the Yamuna. This includes improving waste management practices, raising awareness about responsible waste disposal, and implementing measures to reduce plastic use and improve recycling.
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Heavy metal pollution
The Yamuna River is a lifeline for Delhi, providing over 70% of the city's water supply. However, it is now one of the most polluted rivers in the world, with a particular concentration of heavy metals. Heavy metal pollution in the Yamuna has been linked to industrial sources, agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, and the use of agrochemicals.
The river, which originates in the Shivalik hills in Himachal and Haryana, has a long history of cultural and ritual significance. However, the river's waters are no longer the ""clear blue" they once were, and today, the river is severely polluted. The stretch of the river between the Wazirabad barrage and the Okhla barrage, accounting for less than 2% of its total length, contributes to nearly 80% of the Yamuna's total pollution.
The primary sources of heavy metal pollution in the Yamuna River are industrial and domestic effluents, which are often discharged into the river untreated. Heavy metals such as lead, copper, cadmium, chromium, zinc, nickel, and arsenic have been detected in the river water and have been shown to have adverse effects on human health and metabolism. These metals can accumulate in the sediment, impacting benthic species and causing disruptions in local food chains.
In addition to the direct discharge of industrial effluents, the immersion of idols and other ritual offerings during festivals has also contributed to the increase in heavy metal pollution. A study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that the levels of chromium and iron in the river increased significantly after these immersions, with chromium reaching 11 times the permissible limit.
The health risks associated with heavy metal pollution are particularly concerning for children, who are more vulnerable to the potential health effects. Studies have indicated that exposure to Yamuna river water may trigger adverse non-cancer health effects in children, with arsenic being the main contributing element.
Despite efforts to address the pollution, such as the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the river remains severely contaminated. The failure to effectively tackle the pollution has been attributed to various factors, including underfunded and poorly functioning sewage treatment facilities, a lack of public awareness, and corruption.
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Frequently asked questions
The Yamuna river is polluted due to the discharge of untreated wastewater and poor-quality water from wastewater treatment plants.
The stretch of the river from the Wazirabad barrage to the Okhla barrage is the most polluted. This 22km stretch accounts for nearly 80% of the river's total pollution.
The river's pollution has led to a decline in the fish and turtle population. It has also affected the health of the people living nearby, with reports of bone deformities and fluoride poisoning. The river is considered sacred by many, and its pollution has discouraged religious practices such as ritual bathing and the use of its water for worship.
Measures have been implemented under the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) since 1993. However, these efforts have not been successful, with the river remaining severely polluted.
The main challenges include rapid urbanization, population growth, and industrialization, which result in high levels of waste and sewage being discharged into the river. Additionally, the sewage treatment facilities are underfunded and not functioning properly, contributing to the river's pollution.
