Perspective: Yamuna Rejuvenation Plan

• 21 Mar 2025

For Prelims: Yamuna River, Ganga, Yamuna-Ganga Plain, Himalayan Ranges, Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Fecal Coliform (FC), Heavy Metals, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), Pesticides, fertilizers, Agrochemicals 

For Mains: Yamuna River: Pollution, Causes, and Mitigation Measures. 

Why in News?  

The Yamuna River, a vital water source and a major tributary of the Ganga, faces extreme pollution, making it one of the most polluted rivers in the world. 

• A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on water resources revealed that the Yamuna River is "virtually non-existent" in Delhi.  

What are the Important Facts About the Yamuna River? 

• About:  
  • The Yamuna River is one of the major tributaries of the Ganges in Northern India. It forms an integral part of the Yamuna-Ganga Plain, one of the world's most extensive alluvial plains. 
  • Source: It has its source in the Yamunotri Glacier at an elevation of 6,387 meters on the southwestern sides of Banderpooch crests in the lower Himalayan ranges. 
  • Basin: It meets the Ganges at the Sangam (where Kumbh mela is held) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh after flowing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. 
  • Important Dam: Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc. 
  • Important Tributaries: Chambal, Sindh, Betwa and Ken.  
  • Yamuna’s Critical Polluted Stretch: In Delhi, Yamuna spans 48 km, but the most polluted stretch is 22 km (Wazirabad to Okhla barrage). 
    • This polluted stretch constitutes only 2% of the total river length but has severe pollution issues.      
  • Current State of Yamuna’s Water Quality:  
    • Elevated Pollution Indicators: The river water exhibits high levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Fecal Coliform (FC), all of which indicate severe organic and microbial pollution. 
    • Dissolved Solids and Heavy Metals: The presence of toxic heavy metals and high dissolved solids threatens both aquatic life and human health, posing a serious ecological risk. 
    • According to water quality assessments conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), between January 2021 to May 2023, 23 out of 33 locations along the Yamuna River, including six in Haryana, six in Delhi, and 11 in Uttar Pradesh are unsuitable for bathing. 
  • Related Government Initiatives: 
    • Yamuna Action Plan 
    • Namami Gange Programme 
    • National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) 

Note 

• As per CPCB’s primary water quality criteria for bathing, the river water should meet the following standards: 
  • Dissolved Oxygen (DO): 5 mg/l or more 
  • Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): 3 mg/l or less 
  • Faecal Coliform: Less than 2,500 MPN/100 ml 
• Failure to meet these parameters highlights the severe pollution levels in the Yamuna, making the water unsafe for human contact and aquatic life. 

What are the Sources of Yamuna River Pollution?  

• Domestic Sewage: A large numbers of unauthorized colonies lack proper sewage systems. A significant portion of untreated or partially treated sewage from cities, especially Delhi, enters the river, leading to high levels of organic and chemical pollutants. 
• Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): Delhi has 38 STPs, but many struggle to function efficiently, often failing to meet the prescribed pollution control standards. This results in the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage into the Yamuna. 
• Industrial Waste: Industries along the Yamuna, particularly in Sonipat, Panipat, and Delhi, discharge hazardous chemicals, heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, chromium, etc.), and toxic effluents into the river. 
• Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs): Around 30 CETPs are designed to treat industrial wastewater from various units. However, many of these plants operate below capacity or fail to effectively remove hazardous pollutants, allowing industrial effluents to contaminate the river. 
• Agricultural Runoff: Pesticides, fertilizers, and other agrochemicals from farmlands wash into the river, increasing nutrient levels and causing eutrophication. 
• Solid Waste and Plastic Pollution: Dumping of household waste, plastics, and debris directly into the river clogs water flow and degrades water quality. 
• Reduced Freshwater Flow: Excessive water extraction for irrigation and drinking purposes, along with the diversion of water at barrages like Wazirabad, reduces the river’s ability to dilute pollutants, making the contamination more concentrated.

What Measures can be Taken to Reduce Yamuna River Pollution? 

• Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) Management: Upgrading existing STPs, expanding treatment capacity, and ensuring all wastewater is treated before discharge, along with stricter monitoring, will enhance overall effectiveness.     
  • Decentralized STPs or micro-STPs (1 Million Liters per Day (MLD) or less capacity), are essential in preventing direct sewage discharge into the Yamuna River from unathorized colonies. 
• Effective Industrial Effluent Management: Strengthen regulations for CETPs, enforce strict compliance, and penalize industries discharging untreated waste. 
• Freshwater Flow Restoration: Ensure adequate freshwater release from upstream sources to improve dilution capacity and maintain ecological balance. 
• Solid Waste and Plastic Management: Prevent dumping of garbage, plastics, and debris into the river through stricter waste disposal regulations and awareness campaigns. 
• Agricultural Runoff Control: Promote eco-friendly farming practices, such as organic fertilizers and reduced pesticide use, to minimize chemical runoff into the river. 
• Riverbed Dredging and Cleaning: Implement periodic dredging to remove accumulated silt, sludge, and heavy metal deposits from the riverbed. 
• Promotion of Water Recycling and Reuse: Encourage the use of treated wastewater for non-drinking purposes like irrigation, landscaping, and industrial cooling to reduce freshwater dependency. 

Conclusion 

The alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna River pose a serious threat to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, including efficient sewage treatment, strict industrial waste management, and sustainable agricultural practices. Restoring freshwater flow and promoting water recycling can further aid in improving water quality. Collective efforts from government agencies, industries, and citizens are essential to reviving the Yamuna and ensuring its ecological sustainability. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Q. Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard. (2024)

Q. Discuss the Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs? (2015)