Water Pollution in India
Rising Water Pollution Level
A large portion of solid waste in India remains untreated before it is dumped or flows into the water bodies. For instance, ~90% of solid waste in Maharashtra and ~80% in Delhi are untreated. [1]
As per the National Green Tribunal of India, over 60% of municipal sewage from cities are untreated, polluting rivers and making their water unsafe for human consumption. [4]
State Authorities Fail to Curb Pollution
On Feb 5, 2019, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) fined the Uttar Pradesh government Rs 25 Lakh as it failed to stop the discharge of wastewater in the Upper Ganga canal through an illegally-built drainage system. [2] Ironically, in the same Ganga, people are taking the holy dip at Kumbh.
Recently, the water supply from the Narmada dam in Gujarat was stopped due to high sulfide pollution level, making water unfit for consumption. Though the exact cause is not known yet, the high level of hydrogen sulfide is largely attributed to decaying living matter. However, some tests later suggested the presence of inorganic sulfide meaning it is due to the dumping of industrial waste. [3]
References
- "India needs environmental governance." Hindustan Times, 5 Feb. 2019, https://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/india-needs-environmental-governance/story-XFGGtOLYeYG724XAZScIaJ.html. Accessed 6 Feb. 2019.
- "Uttar Pradesh govt to pay Rs 25 lakh fine for polluting Ganga." DNA, 6 Feb. 2019, https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-uttar-pradesh-govt-to-pay-rs-25-lakh-fine-for-polluting-ganga-2716662. Accessed 6 Feb. 2019.
- "Decaying matter polluted Narmada." The Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/decaying-matter-polluted-narmada/articleshow/67858723.cms. Accessed 6 Feb. 2019.
- "Over 60% of urban India's sewage enters water bodies untreated: NGT." Moneycontrol, https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/over-60-of-urban-indias-sewage-enters-water-bodies-untreated-ngt-3487991.html. Accessed 6 Feb. 2019.
