River pollution dips nationwide, but 37 stretches in ‘severe’ category

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in its latest assessment, has identified 296 polluted stretches of rivers, down from 351 in 2018-19. In the region, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh account for 12 and 10 polluted stretches, respectively.

The CPCB reviewed water quality data from 2022 and 2023, covering 2,116 locations on 271 rivers across 32 states and Union Territories.

River stretches are classified as polluted when biological oxygen demand (BOD) exceeds 3 milligrams per litre (mg/L), a level that makes water unfit for aquatic life. Contiguous polluted locations are marked as polluted stretches.

While Jammu and Kashmir has seven polluted stretches, Punjab and Haryana have two each. In Punjab, stretches of the Ghaggar and Sutlej have been placed in the Priority 1 category, indicating severe pollution and the need for urgent remedial action. In Haryana, polluted stretches were identified in the Ghaggar and Yamuna.

Himachal Pradesh has added five new polluted stretches since the 2018-19 assessment, while Uttarakhand has added three. In Himachal, the Markanda, Sarsa, Ashwani Khad, Beas and Giri were already on the list, with Bald, Swan, Yamuna, Ratta and Kaushalya added in the latest report. Among them, the Ratta and Markanda are in Priority 1.

In Uttarakhand, the Bhella, Dhella, Suswa, Kichha, Kalyani, Kosi, Nandour and Pikhar were earlier identified as polluted, while Bangana, Tons, Ramganga and Yamuna have now been added. Of these, the Suswa, Bangana, Bhella, Dhella and Kalyani fall under Priority 1.

In Jammu and Kashmir, polluted stretches have been identified in the Devak, Chunt Kol, Gawkadal, Tawi, Basanter, Jhelum and Lidder.

Overall, 37 stretches across the country fall under Priority 1, including two each in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, and five in Uttarakhand. Maharashtra has the highest number of polluted stretches at 54.

The number of polluted river stretches has increased in 12 states, including Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. No assessment was carried out in 2020 due to the pandemic.

“In 2018, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed states to prepare action plans to curb river pollution. Our assessment compares the current status with 2018 to identify where states are lagging and what needs to be done. The focus should be on diverting sewage-carrying drains to treatment plants,” a CPCB official said.

The CPCB report also noted that the Yamuna in Delhi remains severely polluted and is categorised under Priority 1.