Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction (50-75 words)
- Begin by briefly acknowledging the importance of river water quality and the efforts made to improve it in India.
- Mention the primary objective of these efforts, such as reducing pollution and conserving water resources, specifically through initiatives like the Namami Gange program and the National River Conservation Plan.
Example: The quality of river water in India has been a major environmental concern for decades. Despite several initiatives by both the central and state governments, including the Namami Gange Program and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, improvements in river water quality have been minimal. The main factors contributing to this issue include inadequate infrastructure, lack of proper monitoring, and continued environmental stress.
2. Main Body (200-250 words)
A. Ineffective Sewage Treatment Infrastructure
- Fact 1: The five states through which the Ganga flows generate around 10,000 million liters of sewage per day, but only have a combined sewage treatment capacity of 4,000 million liters or 40% of what is required.
- Example: This undercapacity results in untreated sewage being discharged into rivers, directly contributing to pollution.
B. Inadequate Monitoring and Data Collection
- Fact 2: The National Mission for Clean Ganga aims to monitor river water quality at 134 stations but currently only monitors at 97 stations. This limited data collection hampers the identification of pollution hotspots and delays interventions.
- Example: Insufficient data prevents authorities from accurately assessing the scale of pollution and making timely decisions.
C. Uncontrolled Waste Discharge
- Fact 3: According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), untreated sewage is discharged into 60% of the Ganga River.
- Example: Similar issues exist in other rivers, like the Sabarmati, where untreated waste from textile and chemical manufacturing units continues to degrade water quality.
D. Unregulated Tourism and Agricultural Run-off
- Fact 4: Unplanned tourism has contributed to pollution, with increased plastic waste in regions such as Ladakh, along the Indus River.
- Fact 5: Agricultural run-off, particularly from excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, contributes to the contamination of river water. For example, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported the presence of harmful metals such as manganese, copper, and lead in the Yamuna River.
- Example: The chemicals from agriculture harm both the river and surrounding ecosystems, leading to long-term water quality issues.
3. Conclusion (50-75 words)
- Summarize the reasons behind the lack of improvement in river water quality, emphasizing the need for stronger governance and infrastructure.
- Suggest that a comprehensive approach involving better waste treatment, robust monitoring, and public awareness is essential for improving the situation.
Example: Despite numerous government programs, the quality of river water in India continues to degrade due to challenges such as insufficient sewage treatment, poor monitoring, and untreated industrial waste discharge. To ensure sustained improvements, there is a need for enhanced infrastructure, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, and active participation from local communities and industries.
Relevant Facts to Support the Answer:
- Sewage Treatment Infrastructure:
- Fact: The five major states through which the Ganga flows produce 10,000 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage but only have 4,000 MLD treatment capacity.
- Monitoring and Data Collection:
- Fact: The National Mission for Clean Ganga targets 134 monitoring stations, but only 97 stations are currently operational (Source: National Mission for Clean Ganga).
- Uncontrolled Waste Discharge:
- Fact: The NGT reports that 60% of sewage is untreated and discharged into the Ganga.
- Agricultural Run-off and Chemicals in Water:
- Fact: Metals like manganese, copper, and lead were found in the Yamuna River due to agricultural runoff.
- Impact of Unregulated Tourism:
- Fact: Plastic pollution has increased along the Indus River in Ladakh due to unregulated tourism.
Model Answer
Why Has the Quality of River Water in India Shown Little Improvement?
Despite extensive efforts by various stakeholders, the quality of river water in India has shown little improvement. Several factors contribute to this ongoing challenge:
1. Ineffective Sewage Treatment Infrastructure
One of the major obstacles to improving river water quality is the lack of adequate sewage treatment facilities. For example, while the five states through which the Ganga flows generate around 10,000 million liters of sewage daily, their combined treatment capacity is only about 4,000 million liters, or just 40% of the required capacity. This imbalance leads to untreated sewage being discharged into rivers, contributing to pollution.
2. Inadequate Monitoring and Data Collection
Effective monitoring of water quality remains a challenge in India. Although the National Mission for Clean Ganga intends to monitor water quality at 134 stations, it is currently only being conducted at 97 stations. This insufficient data collection hampers efforts to understand the extent of pollution and take appropriate corrective measures.
3. Uncontrolled Waste Discharge
Untreated waste continues to flow into rivers, further exacerbating pollution. According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), untreated sewage is discharged into 60% of the Ganga, making it one of the most polluted rivers in the country. Similarly, untreated waste from textile and chemical manufacturing units contributes to the pollution of rivers like the Sabarmati.
4. Impact of Unplanned Tourism and Agricultural Run-off
Unregulated tourism activities have also emerged as a threat to water bodies, particularly through increased plastic waste, as seen near the Indus River in Ladakh. Additionally, agricultural run-off, especially from excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, contaminates river water and groundwater. The CPCB has reported the presence of harmful metals like manganese and copper in rivers such as the Yamuna, further degrading water quality.
Conclusion
Despite measures like the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and programs like the Namami Gange and National River Conservation Plan, significant improvements in river water quality are hindered by factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lax monitoring, and unregulated waste discharge. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from both the central and state governments, including better waste management infrastructure, stricter law enforcement, and active public participation.