Impact of Pollution On River Yamuna
Impact of Pollution On River Yamuna
Impact of Pollution On River Yamuna
INTRODUCTION
River Yamuna with a total length of around 1,370 kilometres (851 mi), is the largest tributary of the river ganga. Its source is at Yamunotri, in the Uttarakhand Himalaya. It flows through the states of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, before merging with the Ganges at Allahabad. Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, especially around Delhi, which dumps about 57% of its waste into the river. Way back in December 1994 on the basis of news report on the level of pollution in Yamuna the supreme court has been monitoring the cleaning of the river.
15 years earlier
At present
ECOLOGY
Yamuna supports a wide variety of plant and animal species. The river is home to thousands of resident and migratory birds. . On November 16, 2010 ailing Yamuna proved fatal for aquatic life once again. The death of about 2,000 fish in the river, between Vrindavan and Mathura, has brought the issue of pollution in the Yamuna to centre stage again. The Okhla Bird Sanctuary, spread over four sq. kms on the Yamuna river, is one of the International Bird areas listed by Bird Live International. Thousands of avian migrants waded along with resident water birds. However, there were several species that were not spotted this year.
EFFECTS OF POLLUTION
The Yamuna is poisoned and so are your vegetables
A recent study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) indicates the presence of heavy metals in the vegetables that are grown with water from the Yamuna, making them potentially hazardous to health. Concentration of heavy metals in water used for irrigation and drinking purposes, and metal contamination in crops grown on the Yamuna basin were seen.
The depleting water levels of the Yamuna, brought about the twin impact of less water flow into Delhi and a mechanical fault with the Okhla barrage, have had a tragic effect on the fish in the river and on the arrival of migratory birds at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary.
Initiatives taken:
Major sources: Domestic sewage and Industrial effluent. The Govt. of Delhi has ensured that more than 1200 industrial units have installed effluent treatment plants to treat their industrial wastewater. 11 Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) which treat wastewater generated from 15 industrial areas, are being monitored every month. 23 Sewage Treatment Plants of 512 MGD capacity, which have been installed to treat the sewage, are being monitored every month. Interceptor sewer concept is being implemented by DJB on 3 major drains (Najafgarh, Supplementary and Shahadra drains) to keep Yamuna river clean. DPCC conducts monthly Water Quality Monitoring of River Yamuna and Drains and informs the concerned agencies to take corrective action.
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