Yamuna River Pollution: Understanding The Primary Causes

The Yamuna River, a vital water source in India, is one of the country's most polluted rivers. Around 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 various factors, including industrial and agricultural activities, construction, runoff from farmland, urban and industrial effluents, sewage, and wastewater discharge from large urban areas. The river is most polluted in areas surrounding Delhi, with the city contributing about 76% of the river's total pollution. Despite being a sacred river in Hinduism, the Yamuna has been choked by intense plastic pollution and toxic foam, posing a significant threat to water quality, aquatic life, and the overall ecosystem health.

Industrial and agricultural activities

The Yamuna River, a vital water source in India, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. It is worshipped in Hinduism as the 'Goddess Yamuna' and is considered sacred, with many people bathing in its waters and performing last rites on its banks. However, the river's quality has deteriorated significantly due to various human activities, including industrial and agricultural practices.

Industrial Activities

Industrial activities are a major contributor to the degradation of the Yamuna River's water quality. Industrial areas are the prime areas of concern as they release various contaminants that endanger the health of both humans and animals. The river receives about 44 million litres of industrial effluents daily, which contain harmful substances such as heavy metals and organic dye pollutants. These pollutants have severe ecological and public health consequences, including the contamination of drinking water sources and the risk of waterborne illnesses.

The impact of industrial activities on the river is evident in regions where industrial discharges meet the river, such as Panipat, Sonipat, and Yamuna Nagar. The stretch of the river downstream of New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river, is particularly affected. The water quality monitoring of the Yamuna River has detected the presence of heavy metals, with iron (Fe) being the most abundant and exceeding the permissible limit. High levels of heavy metals can cause reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, and nervous system damage.

The COVID-19 lockdown provided a unique opportunity to observe the impact of industrial activities on the river. During the lockdown, when industries were closed or operating at reduced capacities, the water quality of the Yamuna River improved significantly, as reported by residents of the national capital city. This improvement underscores the significant role of industrial emissions in the river's pollution.

Agricultural Activities

Agricultural activities along the Yamuna River's banks also contribute to its pollution. During monsoon and non-monsoon rains, runoff from agricultural farms carries residues of insecticides, artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and farmyard waste into the river. Crops such as radish, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, and spinach are planted along the riverbanks, and the discharge of irrigated water containing chemicals and pollutants directly or indirectly damages the river's ecosystem.

In addition to the direct discharge of agricultural wastewater, the use of pesticides and fertilizers in farming can also indirectly affect the river's water quality. These chemicals can seep into the groundwater and eventually find their way into the river, leading to contamination. The cumulative impact of agricultural activities on the Yamuna River's water quality highlights the importance of promoting eco-friendly farming methods and sustainable agricultural practices.

Untreated sewage

The Yamuna River is a vital water source in India, with around 57 million people depending on its waters. However, it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, particularly in the areas surrounding Delhi. One of the main contributors to the pollution of the Yamuna River is untreated sewage.

The untreated sewage contains high levels of pollutants, including organic waste, detergents, and chemicals. These pollutants reduce the surface tension of the water, leading to the formation of froth or foam on the river's surface. This foam, known as "frothing" or "foaming," is a visible sign of the high pollution levels in the river. The foam is stabilized by the presence of filamentous bacteria, which release surfactant molecules.

The surfactants, phosphates, and organic waste from untreated sewage have detrimental effects on the river's ecosystem and water quality. They pose a significant threat to aquatic life and overall ecosystem health. The chemicals in the untreated sewage can also be transferred to the air, contributing to smog formation and further exacerbating the air quality issues in the surrounding areas.

The high levels of untreated sewage entering the Yamuna River are due in part to the lack of adequate sewerage infrastructure. To address this issue, the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) has proposed the construction of 29 STPs, 58 pumping stations, and 179 km of sewers. These infrastructure developments aim to improve the treatment of sewage before it enters the river, reducing the pollution load and improving water quality.

Idol immersion

During festivals, idols adorned with cheap lead and chrome paints, plaster of Paris, and various puja articles, such as polythene bags, flowers, food offerings, decorations, plastic sheets, and cosmetic items, are immersed in the river. These items introduce heavy metals, such as chromium and iron, into the water, significantly increasing their concentration beyond permissible limits. For instance, post-idol immersion, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that chromium levels rose to 11 times the permissible limit of 0.05 mg/L, while iron concentration increased by 71 times from the 0.3 mg/L limit.

The presence of these heavy metals poses a severe threat to the health of both humans and animals. If the water is not treated, toxins can enter the food chain through vegetables grown on the river's floodplains. Heavy metals can also damage vital organs, such as the brain, lungs, kidneys, and liver, and alter blood composition. Recognizing the harmful impact of idol immersion, the National Green Tribunal banned the practice of idol immersion in the Yamuna River in 2015.

To address this issue, efforts have been made to encourage idol immersion in special pits and ponds. Additionally, there is a need to raise awareness among idol makers, decorators, and pandal organizers about the harmful effects of idol immersion in the river. By promoting alternative immersion methods and educating the public, it is possible to reduce the pollution caused by this practice and protect the health and well-being of those who depend on the river.

Population density and waste

The high population density in the areas surrounding the river has resulted in a large amount of waste being produced, which has severely polluted the river. The primary cause of pollution in the river is domestic sources, accounting for around 85%. This includes industrial effluents, raw manure, waste and dead body disposal, idol worship, and contaminants from water used in streams. The river receives over 3.5 billion litres of sewage each day, yet only 35-40% is treated. This has led to high levels of pollutants and untreated sewage entering the river, causing a degradation in water quality and the formation of toxic foam.

The foam, a mixture of sewage and industrial waste, contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates, which can cause respiratory and skin problems. It is formed by the release of chemicals such as detergents and surfactants from residential and industrial waste, which reduce the surface tension of the water and lead to the formation of froth. The presence of filamentous bacteria also contributes to the stabilisation of the froth.

The pollution in the River Yamuna has severe consequences for both the ecosystem and public health. The river is a vital water source for millions of people, but the high levels of pollution have made the water unsafe for human use. The river is also worshipped in Hinduism, and Hindu devotees often perform rituals in the river, surrounded by the dense foam.

Religious practices

The Yamuna River is considered sacred in Hinduism, where it is worshipped as the 'Goddess Yamuna', the daughter of the Sun and sister of Yama, the 'God of Death'. As a result, the river is of significant religious importance, with many people bathing in its waters to rid themselves of sins and performing the last rites of the dead on its banks.

One major consequence of these religious practices is the immersion of idols during festivals. Idols are often made with cheap lead, chrome paints, and plaster of Paris, and are decorated with polythene bags, foam cut-outs, flowers, food offerings, metal polish, plastic sheets, and cosmetic items. After immersion, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that the levels of heavy metals such as chromium and iron increased significantly, with chromium increasing 11 times from the permissible limit of 0.05 mg/L and iron concentration increasing 71 times from the 0.3 mg/L limit.

The practice of idol immersion has severe ecological and health implications. The high levels of toxins entering the water can damage vital organs and alter blood composition. Furthermore, if the water is not treated, these toxins can enter the food chain through vegetables grown on the floodplains, potentially causing harm to those who consume them.

Another consequence of religious practices on the Yamuna River is the gathering of devotees on its banks to celebrate Chhath Puja, a festival dedicated to the sun god, Lord Surya. During this festival, devotees wade into the river to bathe and pray, even in the presence of toxic foam formed by untreated sewage and industrial waste. This practice exposes devotees to respiratory and skin problems, as the foam contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates.

The religious significance of the Yamuna River and the resulting religious practices of its devotees have thus had a detrimental impact on the river's water quality and the health of those who depend on it.

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