91
2
An Overview of NWDA Presence in India Water Week-2017
An Overview of NWDA Involvement in Trade Fair-2017
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From Director General’s Desk
It gives me immense pleasure to present the Annual Jal Vikas-2018 issue of NWDA. The in-house bulletin of NWDA gives an overview of the main functions and objectives of NWDA in the field of Water Resources Planning and Development, particularly with respect to Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) as well as Intra-State Water Transfer Projects commonly known as the Programme on Interlinking of Rivers (ILR), Government of India, under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR,RD&GR).
It is pertinent to mention that the NWDA, with the support and guidance of Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD & GR) and Secretary (WR, RD &GR), has accomplished all its assigned functions in an efficient and effective manner during the year 2017, in spite of many hurdles and constraints especially relating to the shortage of Technical Officers. The main works dealt and completed by NWDA during the period of 1st January, 2017 to 31st December, 2017 and that indicated in the annual issue are related with the Techno-Economic Clearance and Water Sharing Issues of Ken-Betwa (Phase-I/II), Par-Tapi-Narmada and Damanganga-Pinjal Link Projects along with their Clearances from Wild Life, Environment, Forest Land Diversion, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Investment, Funding Pattern and Implementation Mechanism Departments. All the Clearances could be obtained mainly because of the concerted efforts taken by NWDA. In addition to these activities, NWDA also organized India Water Week-2017- the fifth event in the series during 10-14 October, 2017 by concurrently conducting the International Conference and Water Expo-2017; 3rd and 4th Jal Manthan respectively on 13.01.2017 and 27-28.07.2017; 64th Meeting of the Governing Body of NWDA on 27.03.2017; and 31st
(M. K. Srinivas) Director General
Annual General Meeting of NWDA on 12.09.2017. During this year two meetings of the Special Committee on ILR have also been held. The issue also contains a technical article namely on “River Pollution Prevention and Rejuvenation of Rivers-A National Priority” and a Poem contributed by NWDA Officials; ILR in Parliament and Media; and Training/Workshops and Promotions/Retirement relating to NWDA environs. Hope this Annual Issue of Jal Vikas will be found useful in getting a glimpse on the role, functions and achievements of NWDA during the year 2017. We look forward to receive your valuable cooperation for accomplishing NWDA objectives and striving together for the implementation of ILR Programme of India under the guidance of the MoWR,RD&GR.
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From Chief Engineer’s Desk
On behalf of the NWDA, the Editorial Board, and the Editorial Team of Jal Vikas, I wish to extend our sincere thanks to Director General NWDA for his constant guidance in shaping and publishing this Annual Issue of Jal Vikas amongst our Stakeholders.
I am sure that the
(R.K.Jain) Chief Engineer (HQ) &
Chairman, Jal Vikas Editorial Board
platform we provide here through our In-House Bulletin gives immense scope to highlight various issues and aspects relating to Water Resources Sector. Here, I take this opportunity to request all our Eminent Experts, Professionals and Officials from Government, Public and Private sectors including those from NGOs and International Organizations for joining with us in alleviating the lacunae that exists in the field of Water Resources regarding Prevention of Water Pollution of Rivers, Lakes and Ponds; Capacity Building; Awareness Creation; Skill Development ; Efficient Utilization of Water in Agricultural , Domestic and Industrial Sectors by addressing Micro-Irrigation Practices, Recharging of Aquifers and Reuse & Recycling of Waters through Canal and Pipe Networks following Leak Detention Techniques; and Integrated Planning, Development and Management followed with monitoring measures of River Basins/Sub-Basins while ensuring Food Sufficiency, Water Security and Socio-Economical & Environmental Sustainability not only for the present generation but also for the future generation to come.
In the processes we may find and agree that “Inter Linking of Rivers” Programme
commonly known as ILR Programme of Government of India, through implementing Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) Projects and Intra State Water Transfer (ISWT) Projects are one of the options available in the water sector for balancing the disparity in availability of Water Resources with respect to space and time. NWDA along with the Support and Guidance of the MoWR, RD &GR is taking concerted and continuous efforts in consensus building with the State Governments for the implementations of the Priority IBWT Link Projects of Ken-Betwa (Phase-I &Phase-II), Damanganga-Pinjal and Par-Tapi-Narmada and preparations of Detailed Project Reports of ISWT Link Projects as suggested by various State Governments. The detailing of the concerned link projects indicating their present status have been covered in the Jal Vikas Annual Issue-2018.
Your Valuable views and contributions of papers touching on the above cited
issues/aspects will be of great support for us.
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From Editor’s Desk
Placing the Jal Vikas Annual Issue -2018 is only due to the unconditional support and guidance received from the Editorial Board along with the continuous guidance from Chairman and Members of the Editorial Borad. My thanks are also go to the Editorial Support Team for their untiring commitment and support.
NWDA is publishing the quarterly in-house bulletin ‘Jal Vikas’ since October,
1991. The Journal is being distributed amongst water resources engineers and scientists of various Central/ State Government Departments and other concerned Organisations in the country. The primary objective of this bulletin is to disseminate information on activities and achievements of NWDA.
The Technical Digest published in the bulletin is based on the input provided by
various sections of NWDA located in headquarters and field investigation circles and divisions. The details so collated are mainly pertained to the proposed Inter Basin Water Transfers both coming under the Peninsular and Himalayan Rivers Development Components as well as Intra-State Links as studied by NWDA and matters related to Special Committee for Inter Linking of Rivers (SCILR), constituted by the MoWR,RD &GR. While going through the various pages of the issue categorically, you may find each point and fact is relevant to the NWDA objectives, mandated activities and entrusted tasks.
Suggestions of our readers and guidance of my superiors helped to make
Jancy Vijayan, Director (MDU)&
Member Secretary,
the in-house butellin of NWDA as one of the published documents of NWDA during these years. Now, the Editorial Board is determined to publish articles in Jal Vikas related with those issues that are directly and indirectly affecting the economical and sustainable development and progress of Water Resources Sectors as indicated in the views generated from the Chief Engineer’s Desk.
With the above cited objectives in mind, may I take this opportunity to request
all of you to kindly go through our invitation for contributions of papers that given at the end of this Annual Jal Vikas Issue -2018.
We look forward to receiving your valuable suggestions and support in
contributing Technical Papers for adding more value to the Jal Vikas, In-house Bulletin of NWDA.
Editorial Board& Editor, Jal Vikas, NWDA
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Contents Particulars Page No Article
• River Pollution Prevention and Rejuvenation of Rivers- A National Priority
9-31 Technical Digest 32-42 Interlinking of Rivers in Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) 43-57 Water Resources in Media
• Gadkari Plans 285 Irrigation Projects in 2018 58 • Rapid Progress in Micro Irrigation 58 • NCR lost 40% of its water bodies in 42 years 59 • Eight key steps to cleaner rivers and higher green cover 60 • Protecting Rivers that enable Farmers to feed us must be India’s priority 63 • Gadkari to visit to Polavaram Project regularly 64 • Naveen writes to PM on Mahanadi Issue 65 • NITI Aayog CEO-led group to study Isha Foundation’s proposals 65
• जल िववाद पर नया कानून लाएगी सरकार 66 • केन बेतवा प�रयोजना म� �फर देरी क� आशंका 67
Glimpses of NWDA • Jal Manthan 69 • Special Committee for ILR 71 • 10th 72 Meeting of the Sub-Committee on System Study • Task Force for ILR 73 • Legal Aspects of Task Force for ILR 73 • NABARD Funding under PMKSY 73 • तकनीक� संगो�ी का आयोजन 74 • Governing Body of NWDA 75 • रा�ी य जल िवकास अिभकरण (राजिवअ) म� सवdच्ाता पपवााा 76 • Hindi Pakhawada 77 • Involvement of NWDA in India Water Week-2017 78 • Workshop on Vigilance Administration 81
• Involvement of NWDA in India International Trade Fair-2017 82 • 31st 83 Annual General Meeting of NWDA • Appointments on Direct Recruitment/Deputation and Promotion Basis 84 • Participation of NWDA Officials in Trainings/Seminars/Workshops 86 • fgUnh ds c
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Highlights of NWDA Activities Accomplished during the Year 2017
• The important activities targeted and accomplished by NWDA during the reporting period starting from 1st January, 2016 to 31st
• Jal Manthan-3
December, 2016 were:
rd and 4th
were organized on 13.01.2017 and 27-28.07.2017 respectively at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with the initiative of MoWR, RD & GR.
• 6th,7th,8th, 9th & 10th
Meetings of the Group on Legal Aspect Constituted under TFILR of SCILR were held respectively on 02.02.2017, 14.02.2017, 23.02.2017, 09.03.2017 & 17.03.2017.
• 6th, 7th & 8th
Meetings of TFILR were held on 13.02.2017, 11.05.2017 and 15.09.2017 respectively.
• 10th
• 12
Meeting of Sub-Committee on System Studies for Identification of Most Appropriate Alternate Plan was held on 03.03.2017.
th and 13th
• Swachhata Pakhwada was organized in NWDA from 16.03.2017 to 29.03.2017.
of Meeting of SC-ILR were respectively held on 08.03.2017 and 27.07.2017.
• 64th
Governing Body meeting of NWDA was held on 27.03.2017 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, MoWR, RD&GR at New Delhi.
• Technical Hindi Sangosthi was organized by NWDA during 20-21 April, 2017 at Vadodara, Gujarat with the active support of Vadodara Investigation Division, NWDA.
• Hindi Pakhwada was organized in NWDA during 01-14 September 2017.
• Three meetings of the Financial Group of TLILR have been held respectively on 24.10.2017, 17.11.2017 and 08.12.2017.
• India Water Week-2017 was successfully organized by NWDA during 10–14 October, 2017 by concurrently conducting International Conference and showcasing Water Expo-2017.
• NWDA set up its own Stall for projecting ILR Projects identified by NWDA in the India International Trade Fair-2017 held during 14-27 November 2017 at New Delhi.
• NWDA Continued with its Concerted Efforts for obtaining the statutory clearances of Ken-Betwa (Phase-I & Phase-II), Par-Tapi-Narmada and Damanganga-Pinjal Link Projects and is provided with either further views on water sharing, suggestions/recommendations for value addition or Clearances of the ILR Projects.
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National Water Development Agency and its Functions
NWDA was set up in July, 1982 by the Government of India as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It was established under the then Ministry of Irrigation and now the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD & GR) to study the feasibility of Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) link projects pertaining to the Peninsular Component of the National Perspective Plan (NPP), Government of India. Subsequently in 1990, NWDA Society resolved to take up the studies of the Himalayan Components of the NPP also. Further on 28.06.2006 preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of the link projects and Pre-Feasibility/Feasibility Reports (PFRs/FRs) of Intra-State link projects as proposed by various State Governments were also included in the functions of NWDA. The functions of NWDA were further modified vide MoWR resolution dated 19.05.2011 and 07.10.2016. The updated functions of NWDA are: • To carry out detailed surveys and investigations of possible reservoir sites and
interconnecting links in order to establish feasibility of the proposal of Peninsular Rivers Development Component (1981) and Himalayan Rivers Development Component (1994) forming part of the NPP for Water Resources Development prepared by the then Ministry of Irrigation (now Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR) and Central Water Commission (CWC).
• To carry out detailed surveys about the quantum of water in various Peninsular River systems (1981) and Himalayan River systems (1994) which can be transferred to other basins/States after meeting the reasonable needs of the basins/States in the foreseeable future.
• To prepare FRs of the various components of the scheme relating to Peninsular Rivers Development (1981) and Himalayan Rivers Development (1994).
• To prepare DPRs (2006) of link proposals under the NPP for Water Resources Development after obtaining concurrence of the concerned States.
• To prepare PFRs/FRs (2006)/DPRs (2011) of the Intra–State links as may be proposed by the States. The concurrence of the concerned co-basin States for such proposals may be obtained before taking up their FRs/DPRs.
• To undertake/construct/repair/renovate/rehabilitate/implement the projects either of its own or through an appointed agency/organization/PSU or company and the projects forming part of ILR, for completion of projects falling under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)-2016 of which projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) are also included and similar other projects (2016).
• NWDA to act as a repository of borrowed funds or money received on deposit or loan given on interest or otherwise in such manner, as directed by MoWR, RD & GR and to secure the repayment of any such borrowed funds/money deposits/loan etc. by way of mortgage, pledge, change or lien upon all or any other property, assets or revenue of the society both present and future (2016).
• To do all such other things the Society may consider necessary, incidental, supplementary or conducive to the attainment of above objectives (1981).
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1.0 Introduction
By definition a river is a channel carrying freshwater flows. The quality and quantity of the flows again depend on the characteristics connected to the hydrological, geo-morphological, socio-economical and ecological behaviours of its river basin. Hence, the availability of adequate quality and quantity of flows of river in space and time with respect to demands play a key role for providing valuable social, environmental and economical services to the human beings and lifes present in ecosystems attached to it. Hence, addressing on river pollution, its prevention and Rejuvenation of Rivers as a mitigative measure is very much important and need of the hour.
Here, a collation of the status of ten most polluted Indian as well as worldwide
rivers have been highlighted. A number of insights into the causes of pollutions of the rivers, its adverse impacts to human being as well as animals have been incorporated. When concluding, a way forward towards prevention on pollution and rejuvenation of rivers by considering it as a national priority needed for the sustenance of river’s health as well as social wealth have been covered.
2.0 What is River Pollution?
River pollution may be defined as the contamination of river waters, which are harmful for living beings. If the concentration of harmful substances present in the river waters increases from the admissible levels, the river is said to be polluted.
2.1 Sources and Types of River Pollution
Based on the sources, the river pollutions are broadly classified into three categories: point-source, non-point source, and trans-boundary. When the source of water pollution is from a single point, for example an oil spill, it is called point-source water pollution. When the pollution has multiple sources, like agricultural fields, it is known as non-point source water pollution. When the pollution affects the environment, many miles away from the source, like nuclear waste, it is called trans-boundary pollution.
2.2 Types of River Pollution: There are mainly eight types, which are: 2.2.1 River Pollution through Surface Water -The surface water comprises the natural water resource that is found on the Earth's surface. They include oceans, rivers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Director (MDU), **Assistant Engineer(MDU), NWDA, Saket, New Delhi-110017
River Pollution Prevention and Rejuvenation of Rivers- A National Priority Jancy Vijayan*, Anjaneyulu**
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and lakes and small bodies of water, like streams and ponds. When the rivers get polluted as a result of hazardous substance coming into contact and mixing with its waters, it is known as surface water pollution. 2.2 River Pollution through Groundwater - A lot of the Earth's water is found underground aquifers. Humans often use aquifers to obtain drinking water, and irrigation purposes and build wells to access it. A portion of the water recharged in those aquifers naturally draining down to river strata based on gravity. When this water becomes polluted by sinking of the wastes, such as pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural fields; and effluents and other chemicals from domestic and industrial units, the river waters also get contaminated. 2.3 River Pollution through Microorganisms -This is a natural form of pollution caused by microorganisms. Most of the microorganisms thrive in river water and can cause fish, land animals, and humans to become ill. Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, can cause serious diseases like cholera. 2.4 Pollution through Oxygen Depletion - Microorganisms that thrive in river water feed on biodegradable substances. When a lot of biodegradable material gets mixed with the river water, the number of microorganisms increases and they end up using all the available oxygen present in river waters leading to depletion of oxygen. When oxygen levels in water go down, the aerobic microorganisms die and the anaerobic microorganisms prosper, some of which are harmful to people, environment and animals as they produce toxins like ammonia and sulphides and start generating foul smell and affecting health of human beings and animals. 2.5 River Pollution through Nutrients - Some wastewater, sewage, and agricultural runoffs contain a large amount of dissolved nutrients. When these runoffs contained with excess dissolved nutrients fall into river waters, the river is getting polluted through nutrients and cause excess weed and algae growth. The algae use the oxygen present in the river water, leaving none of it for the rest of the marine life. This can destroy and decay of the aquatic habitat, and lead to contamination of the water rendering it unfit for consumption. 2.6 River Pollution through Suspended Matters - When the molecules of matter present in the river water are too large, they do not dissolve in water. The suspended particles settle down and form a thick layer of silt at the bottom of the river, which harms the marine life on the floor of the rivers. Biodegradable substances suspended in water also cause an accelerated growth of anaerobic microorganisms adversely affecting its purity and causing river pollution. 2.7 River Pollution through Chemicals - Agricultural and industrial activities produce many chemicals that are allowed to run-off into rivers and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial units thus pollute rivers, endangering its aquatic life. In farms, chemical pesticides are used to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these from the fields tend to poison the aquatic life of rivers, and also harm the birds, humans and other animals that drink the water and/or consume the infected fish species.
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2.8 River Pollution through Oil spills - Oil spills are another cause of river pollution. Small scale oil spills only have a localized effect while the adverse effects of large-scale oil spills can be seen for miles. Spilled oil can cause the death of fish and other aqua/marine creatures numbering into thousands. Oil even sticks to the feathers of birds affecting their ability to fly and routine activity leading to their death. 3.0 Factors Positively Affecting River Pollution
River is one of the main eco-systems on Earth surface comprising of living and non-living components. The effects of pollution on living components of the ecosystems are many and varied in nature based on the distinctive characteristics of species live in it with respect to time and space. The main chemical, physical and microbial factors, which are influencing the river water pollution reported with the following positive impacts:
Pollutants/Source Industry Human Settlement
Agriculture Others
Organic pollutants + + Nutrients (nitrate and phosphate )
+ + animal husbandry
Heavy metals + + mining, military activities
Microbes + + animal husbandry
Toxic organic compounds [chemicals, pesticides, Persistent Organic Pollutants(POPs)]
+ + +
Pharmaceuticals and trace chemicals
+ +
Suspended particles + + + land use change
Nuclear waste + It is also reported that almost all the rivers around the world are polluted.
However, the degree of pollution may be different from mild to severe based on the levels of industrialization, fertilization, population growth, sanitation facilities developed; public awareness created; and policies of concerned Governments and Authorities framed and implemented.
4.0 Statistics on Water Pollution
Almost all people have always preferred to settle down near the rivers and lakes seeing the proximity of availing water for meeting their day-to-day requirement and livelihood. The practice followed can be traced from the ancient times onwards. The matter of concern now is the rate at which the water sources are being polluted. The facts and statistics provided below highlight the plight of pollution:
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According to the data compiled by the United Nation’s World Water Assessment Program (WWAP), which monitors World's Freshwater Resources, 2 million tons of human waste is disposed in worldwide water bodies every single day.
According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply and Sanitation, around 1.8 billion people worldwide drink fecally contaminated water and around 748 million people do not have access to an improved drinking-water source.
According to the WWAP, around 90 percent of the total waste in developing countries is diverted to sources like rivers and lakes, without subjecting it to proper treatment.
About 70 percent of the industrial waste, which is dumped in the water bodies―untreated comes from developing countries and industries dump 300 - 400 metric tons of waste―comprising heavy metals and toxic sludge―in water sources every year.
In the United States, the problem of groundwater pollution caused as a result of agricultural activities is quite prominent. A study carried out in 49 states of the US revealed that nitrate was the principal contaminant of groundwater in the country.
Agriculture also plays a significant role in the pollution of larger water bodies in the form of surface run off. In fact, traces of DDT, which was banned in the US way back in 1970s, are still found in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific.
A study, undertaken back in 90s, revealed that 1,200 million people are affected by water pollution.
Water pollution is in fact, one of the major factors responsible for the death of children under five every year and 443 million school days are lost due to water-borne diseases every year.
Water pollution is one of the raging environmental issues plaguing our planet today. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), around 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage, storm-water, and industrial waste is dumped in US waters annually.
As per UN estimates about 47 percent of the world population will face shortage of drinking water by 2050 at the ongoing rate.
Water pollution in developing countries causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to drinking contaminated water from untreated sewage.
An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indians children’s die of diarrhea every day and so many other countries too, like nearly 500 million Chinese lack access of safe drinking water [1].
Presently, various NGOs, even the Governments of different Nations are trying their best to restrict water pollution. In the United States, the Federal Water Pollution
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Control Act (1972), which is also known as the Clean Water Act, the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (1972), also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) etc are put in place to tackle the menace. However, mitigating water pollution in U.S.A is also a matter of concern. Let us see the Acts framed for protection of rivers and maintaining its sustainability in India. 5.0 Water Acts Framed in India 5.1 The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972
The Government of India enacted Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 with the objective of effectively protecting the wild life of this country and to control poaching, smuggling and illegal trade in wildlife and its derivatives. The Act was amended in January 2003 and punishment and penalty for offences under the Act have been made more stringent. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has proposed further amendments in the law by introducing more rigid measures to strengthen the Act. The objective is to provide protection to the listed endangered flora and fauna and ecologically important protected areas.
The provisions of Section 35(6) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 prohibit
anybody from stopping or enhancing the flow of water into or outside a National Park, except by permission from the Chief Wild Life Warden. It further states that no such permit shall be granted unless the State Government in consultation with the National Board is satisfied that the change in the flow of water into or outside the National Park is necessary for the improvement and better management of wildlife therein[2].
5.2 The Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted in 1977 to provide for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons operating and carrying on certain types of industrial activities. This cess is collected with a view to augment the resources of the Central Board and State Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The Act was amended firstly in 1988 and lastly in 2003.
• Comprehensive programmes for the prevention, control or abatement of water pollution;
Through the Act, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at the Centre and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in various States of India are established. Functions and powers of the CPCB/SPCBs are subsequently included with following main objectives:
• Collecting, analysing and disseminating water pollution information and inspecting sewage and effluents generated;
• Evolving economical methods of sewage treatment, utilization and disposal of sewage;
• Prohibition of the use of rivers or aquifers for effluent disposal; and
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• Using the powers of withdrawal of consent on setting up of Industrial units and related components.
5.3 The Forest Conservation Act, 1980
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is a unique piece of legislation, and a regulatory mechanism that reflects the collective will of the nation to protect its rich biodiversity and natural heritage and that permits only unavoidable use of forest land for various developmental purposes. It embodies the firm commitment of the Government of India to balance the conservation of forests with the sustainable development need of the country contributing to better environment, health and economy.
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 came in to force with effect from October
25, 1980. Under the provisions of this Act, prior approval of the Central Government is essential for diversion of forest lands for the non-forestry purposes. Guidelines have been issued under the Act from time to time, to simplify the procedures, to cut down delays and to make the Act more user’s friendly. To ensure this, new rules under this Act have been framed and notified on 10/1/2003 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
In the Act, there is a clause to help protect rivers that pass through the forests,
including putting restrictions on mining of minor minerals from the beds of such rivers. Section 4.6 of the Act says that extraction of minor minerals shall not be permitted, if the river bed is in a national park or a wildlife sanctuary, unless such extraction is for the benefit of the forest or wildlife and extraction of minor minerals from a river shall be permitted from the middle of the river bed after leaving one fourth of the river bed on each bank untouched.
5.4 The Environment Protection Act, 1986 The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing protection and improvement of the environment. It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities [under section 3(3)] charged with the mandate of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental problems that are peculiar to different parts of the country. The Act was last amended in 1991[3].
This is indeed a very powerful Act gives the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and now the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change substantial powers to protect India’s rivers directly and indirectly, when developmental projects are sanctioned under the Act. In the Act, environment includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property. “Environmental Pollutant” means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be, or tend to be injurious to environment.
Under the Acts various notifications relating to the constitutions of Ganga River
Conservation Authority and National Ganga River Basin Authority and related
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notifications to various riparian State Governments of the river Ganga, namely Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh wherein at many places it is mentioned that the State Governments concerned are required to coordinate and implement the river conservation activities at the State level and take steps for comprehensive management of River Ganga in their States and such measures, like augmentation of sewerage infrastructure, catchment area treatment, protection of flood plains, creating public awareness so as to prevent, control and abatement of pollution in the river Ganga to maintain its water quality and to take such other measures relevant to river ecology and management in the State[4].
In addition, the notifications are informed with action points to be taken by the
corresponding State Government regarding implementation of river basin management plan, maintenance of minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga, monitoring and review of various implementation programmes or activities taken up by the implementing agencies for prevention control and abatement of pollution in the river Ganga.
5.5 The Electricity Act, 2003
Section 8(2) of the Act states, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) shall, before concurring in any hydropower scheme submitted to it under sub-section (1) have particular regard to, whether or not in its opinion,- (a) the proposed river-works will prejudice the prospects for the best ultimate development of the river or its tributaries for power generation, consistent with the requirements of drinking water, irrigation, navigation, flood-control, or other public purposes, and for this purpose the Authority shall satisfy itself, after consultation with the State Government, the Central Government, or such other agencies as it may deem appropriate, that an adequate study has been made on the optimum location of dams and other river-works.
This provision gives the CEA powers to give concurrence to hydropower projects
only after satisfying that the proposal is optimum with respect to all other uses of the rivers.
5.6 Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act 2005 The Act is framed to make a law to provide for the establishment of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regularity Authority (MWRRA) and regulate water resources within the State of Maharashtra, facilitate and ensure judicious, equitable and sustainable management, allocation and utilisation of water resources, fix the rates for use of water for agriculture, industrial, drinking and other purposes, and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The water regulatory Act again indicates that major cities, towns and industries were discharging untreated effluent into nearby streams and rivers leading to unacceptable pollution levels in the waters of these streams and rivers; management of the water resources of the State shall be decentralized to the lowest practicable level on the basis of hydrological or watershed units and the State shall be divided into 5 river drainage basins and appropriate river basin agencies shall be established within each river basin; the river basin agencies shall have the responsibility and authority for
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the integrated planning, development and management of the water resources and watersheds of their respective river basins for flood management, drought management and operation and maintenance of water storage and delivery infrastructure; the Pollution Control Board and Municipalities / Corporations may have drawn up Action Plans to improve the water quality through effluent treatment / sewage treatment and use of treated sewage water for irrigation; the Action Plans may be discussed together along with the financial implication and status of implementation; the expected status of water quality Post Action plan may also be given; and the present low flow (minimum flow in summer months) may be indicated at various parts in the system along with the required flow recommended by Pollution Control Board[5].
A number of other States, like Uttar Pradesh (2008) and Andhra Pradesh (2009)
have come out with such Acts. However, both the Acts of Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh do not explicitly mention about the protection of rivers or provision of environmental flows. Some of the States of India are still in the processes of framing their own Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act.
5.7 National Water Policy-1987, 2002 and 2012/13
National Water Policy 1987, 2002 and 2012/13 addresses the importance of water, rivers and river basin related issues. It declares water as a scarce national resource fundamental to life, livelihood, food security and sustainable development of water resources [6]. It projected that safe drinking water is a basic need and a right for every human being; clean, safe and adequate fresh water is vital to the survival of all organisms and smooth functioning of key systems, entities and economies; and water based eco-systems provide a diversity of services vital for human well-being and poverty alleviation and delivery of fresh water is a particularly important service both directly and indirectly. While water pollution and contamination weakens or destroys the natural eco-system that supports human health, food production and bio-diversity polluted water can lead to serious problems with diseases and death of humans, animals, plant and vegetation [7].
The policy documentation again states that when consider the importance of
rivers in decision making processes, it is necessary to valuing the services provided by a river, either in qualitative or in quantitative terms [8].
While summing up the above cited Acts, it is imperative to mention that a
number of action points have been taken up based on the above cited Acts/Policies. For example, as per the “The Wild Life Protection Act-1972”, in February 2008, the proposal for survey for the Chambal Development Scheme involving four Hydropower Projects (Rahu Ka Gaon, Gujjapura, Jaitpura & Barsala) on Chambal river in Rajasthan was not granted clearance by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife. Similarly after a long agitation, the Union Government in October 2010 decided to abandon the plans to construct hydropower projects on Bhagirathi river upstream of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand and declared the 135 km stretch of the river as an ecologically sensitive zone [9].
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6.0 Decision on Water Pollution in International Arenas
At the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the main issues expressed regarding problems affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems were with respect to untreated domestic sewage, uncontrolled industrial discharges, deforestation and poor agricultural practices [10]. The public awareness relating to the protection of the freshwater resources as well as monitoring of the ecological and human health effects were also considered and found to be inadequately addressed. Based on the Agenda-21[11], the plan of work adopted to conserve and protect the environment is called for and decided for the adoption of a catchment management approach and “polluter pays” principle with action plans on ecosystem restoration and monitoring, groundwater protection, treatment facilities for domestic sewage as well as industrial effluents and rational use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Further, during its 6th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD-6) held in 1998, noted that since the Rio declarations, the improvements in water quality in a number of river basins and groundwater aquifers have been started, wherever follow up actions have been incorporated. However, the overall progresses obtained are not sufficient to reduce the general trends of water quality deterioration and growing stress on freshwater ecosystems. When review the conditions of the rivers not only in India but also worldwide, it is indicated that the unsustainable trends prevailing at the time of Rio and CSD-6 have not been fully reversed, the pollution of freshwater still remains a major cause of Global concern and a threat to the sustenance of aquatic ecosystems. Hence, the Global Co-operation needed for addressing these issues is to be strengthened [12].
In the Ministerial Declaration of the 2nd World Water Forum-2000, it is again
stressed and stated that the framework for action to implement the vision is to be focused. The industrialized countries have too faced with several freshwater pollution problems controlling domestic, industrial and agricultural wastes. Over the last 20 years, industrial waste and discharges of many toxic substances have begun to decline, primarily through technical solutions and usage of advanced technologies. Municipal waste treatment plants have also been helped to considerably reduce faecal contamination [13] and organic pollution from untreated human wastewater [14]. However, problems concerning pollution still remain from non-point sources and groundwater contamination [15], especially through nitrate and heavy metals. Contaminated sediments also appear to pose a great threat to the rivers as they pollute surface and groundwater for years together.
It is also brought to the notice of various communities that in the light of the
world population increase, water pollution problems are expected to worse further, especially in those stretches, where rapidly growing urban population involve therein with unsustainable development activities, without following adequate control and monitoring measures. From a study conducted in this respect, it is highlighted that while the population load doubles, the concerned pollution load tends to increase 5-10 times more than that of the base line level [16].
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7.0 Polluted River Stretches Identified in India
The water quality data of rivers in India is analysed and monitored in various locations by the CPCB under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme of Government of India is performed under the provision of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 considering human uses of water as base for identification of water quality objectives. The exercises are being carried out where the water quality criterion exceeds the safer levels and are identified as polluted locations with respect to risk. Priority levels of polluted stretch are accordingly characterised based on the risk attached to it. The location, where the BOD is more than 30 mg/l is considered fit for sewage treatment plant and harmful even without dilution for riverine species including human beings. Again, if BOD of a river location is higher than 6 mg/l, the river stretch is treated as a polluted one and identified it for undergoing remedial actions [17].
River stretches identified in India based on priority levels:
Priority Priority Categorisation Based on Criteria Stretches Identified Priority-1 ♦ Monitoring locations exceeding BOD
concentration 30 mg/l. ♦ All monitoring locations exceeding BOD 6 mg/l on all occasions.
35 Numbers
Priority-2 ♦ Monitoring locations having BOD between 20-30 mg/l. ♦ All monitoring locations exceeding BOD 6 mg/l on all occasions.
15 Numbers
Priority-3 ♦ Monitoring locations having BOD between 10-20 mg/l. ♦ All monitoring locations exceeding BOD 6 mg/l on all occasions
26 Numbers
Priority-4 ♦ Monitoring locations having BOD between 6-10 mg/l.
38 Numbers
Priority-5 ♦ Monitoring locations having BOD between 3-6 mg/l ♦ The locations exceeding desired water quality of 3mg/l BOD.
36 Numbers
Total 150 Numbers Here, it is important to view how the water pollution affects animals also.
8.0 Water Pollution Effects on Animals While humans only feel the harmful consequences of water pollution when they consume the contaminated water, go swimming in polluted water sites or make aquatic life forms from the polluted water bodies as part of their diet, animals are easier victims of the harmful effects of water pollution. While humans have the option of treating polluted water to make it safer and drinkable and can always choose not to bathe in the polluted waters or refrain from eating aquatic animals, animals are not capable of resorting to any of these alternatives to escape the toxicity of water that has been
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contaminated mainly by human activities and natural pollutants/ wastes [18] and common issues faced by them are as follows:
• Chemical contaminants carried by industrial wastes kill a lot of smaller aquatic organisms, such as frogs, fish, etc. This, in turn, causes a loss of food source for bigger aquatic creatures, leading them to either consume poisoned, dead fish and perish, or leave their natural habitat to go in search of food in other aquatic quarters. Often, this leads to sickness and death of these animals due to the inability to adapt to the changed or new environments.
• An excess of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, leads to an increased growth of toxic algae and aquatic plants that cause depletion of oxygen and poisoning and death in fish and other animals who feed on them.
• Presence of too much mercury leads to hormonal imbalances and glandular damage, leading to abnormal behavioural shifts. Also, mercury is a toxic metallic chemical that gives a huge blow to the reproductive functions, growth and development of animals that are continuously exposed to high doses of it.
• Oil spills that introduce unhealthy amounts of oil into the marine environment also make marine animals sick and lead to their unnatural deaths.
• Dumping solid trash such as plastic, metallic scrap, garbage, etc., may block water bodies and aquatic channels, which in turn can cause small animals to get trapped in the debris. Most water-dwelling animals tend to suffocate or drown on being trapped and unable to swim.
• Polluted water used for irrigation also contaminates the soil and the agricultural produce. This may lead to health issues in herbivorous animals who feed on agricultural plants and leftovers.
• Pollutants from agricultural field can radically alter the metabolism of a number of soil-dwelling bacteria and insects, making them perish or unsuitable for consumption by common predators of the local ecosystem.
• Atmospheric pollutants may get mixed with clouds and fall back on earth as acid rain. This toxic shower is potent enough to inflict mortal injuries to any life form that gets exposed to it.
From the above cited points, we can easily see that the animals affected adversely harder than humans, when water is polluted. Although huge steps need to be taken on national, regional and local levels to arrest this situation before it goes totally out of control from our hands, so that lesser animals may enter into the list of “Extinct Species” or being marked as “Endangered Species”. In this context let us examine the status worldwide rivers reported upon. 9.0 Most Polluted Rivers of the World and India
The water bodies have always been considered as excellent sources of water and food and have been called as 'Sources of Life'. Apart from being sources of sustenance, rivers have also been aided in formations of advanced civilizations and building up transportations and trades. Today, a large number of rivers in the world have been
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polluted and many of the rivers are on the verge of dying. Let's take a look at the most polluted rivers in the world as well as in India.
9.1 Most Polluted Rivers of the World
The topmost rivers of the world, which are severely polluted, are briefly covered as per their degree of pollution in ascending order. The order may change up and down based on the monitoring and preventive measures taken by the concerned Authorities/States/Governments.
9.1.1 Cuyahoga River, United States
Flowing through the Cleveland, Ohio area, the Cuyahoga river has been subjected to numerous forms of pollution, particularly due to industrial waste, caught fire numerous times since 1868 and lastly in June 1969. Interestingly, the plight of the Cuyahoga river helped to promote the ecological movement across the United States, with the theme “Ecology Now.” The action led to passage of Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972, which establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges
of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [19].
9.1.2 Buriganga River, Bangladesh
Buriganga is economically one of the most important rivers of Bangladesh. This river, which has been aiding trade since the 17th
century, was also one of the main sources of Dhaka's drinking water. Today, a large mass of it has been extremely polluted water, contaminated by hazardous pollutants such as industrial and household waste, sewage, medical waste, oil, plastics, and dead animals. Reports suggest that as much as 4500 tons of solid waste is discharged every day into
the river from the urban centres of Dhaka alone. Despite efforts by certain environmentalist groups, the government of Bangladesh has not been able to execute concrete measures for saving the Buriganga from getting polluted and river emits a foul smell near the urban areas and adversely affects the healthy survival of aquatic life. 9.1.3 Matanza-Riachuelo River, Argentina
Located in the Buenos Aires Province of Central-Eastern Argentina, the Matanza-Riachuelo river has been nicknamed the Slaughterhouse river, because many slaughterhouses and tanneries line its banks and tragically, dump their effluents into the river, polluting its waterway of about 64 km with various toxic chemicals, particularly heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, mercury, zinc, lead and copper. Raw sewage and
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household garbage are also added to the mess. Several attempts have been made till date by the Argentinean Government and various Groups to bring the pollution under control but unfortunately, none of them seem to have worked well enough.
9.1.4 Marilao River, Philippines
The Marilao River flows through the Bulacan Province in the Philippines and eventually empties in Manila Bay. The river suffers from various forms of pollution from tanneries, textile factories, piggeries, gold refineries and municipal dumps. The high levels of toxic chemicals and heavy metals in the water are particularly worrisome, as they present a major health hazard. In fact, in places, the water in the Marilao River contains virtually no dissolved oxygen, negating aquatic life to a great
degree. Therefore, the Marilao River is considered one of the 50 dead rivers in the Philippines. Fortunately for the people of the Philippines, Greenpeace has been studying the problem of water pollution in the Philippines and produced the report “Hidden Consequences,” which could at least focus attention on the problem and perhaps persuade the Philippine Government to take up action for clean-up of the Marilao and other rivers in this Pacific region.
9.1.5 Sarno River, Italy
The Sarno river in southern Italy, near Pompeii and Naples, is widely considered the most polluted river in Europe. The upper reaches of the river near Mt. Sarno are nearly pristine, but the lower portions are more polluted. Though the river is still partially used for transport and fishing, the major portion of it has been polluted by colossal amounts of industrial and agricultural waste. The river is fouled by industrial and agricultural wastes and plenty of urban garbage and
organic pollutants. Encouragingly, Italy plans to clean up the Sarno and other rivers in the area and is expected that the remedial and preventive measures will improve its rivers.
9.1.6 Mississippi River, United States
The mighty Mississippi River, also called the Big Muddy, because its waters are generally brown, mostly due to sediments and levels of pollutants. In fact, it is sometimes called the Colon of America. In addition to sewage, benzene and arsenic, the worst pollutants from agricultural fields created Dead Zone of 6,000 to 8,000 square miles at the mouth of the Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico [20]. This has been formed by the Mississippi’s high amount of nitrogen-based fertilizer run-off, which upsets the food chain, creating very low
oxygen levels in coastal waters. Green advocates hope to cleanse this impressive river by urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) to include agricultural run-
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off-particularly nitrogen and phosphorus pollution and its permissible levels under the protocols set by the CWA of 1972.
9.1.7 Citarum River, Indonesia Flowing through the Indonesian province of West Java, the Citarum river is an important resource helping in agriculture, water supply, industry, fishery, and production of electricity. However, the river is in extreme crisis. It is now, filled with millions of tons of domestic and industrial waste. The surface of the water is so densely covered by all the pollutants that the actual river water is hardly visible. All sorts of pollutants such as plastic bottles, tires, rubber gloves, broken household furniture, sewage, harmful chemicals, heavy metals, etc., are present in the river, thus disturbing its ecosystem. The factory owners and dwellers are supposed to treat the water to a desired level after they use it prior to dump it back into the river. But, this process is rarely done and violators rarely prosecuted. In current times, the Asian Development Bank has loaned Indonesia to initiate clean up drive. However, involving in the cleansing up drive may remain more fantasy than reality for many people of Indonesia.
9.1.8 Doce River, Brazil
The Doce river, which means “sweet water,” runs through the South-East Brazil for 853 km, providing much needed fresh water for the largest steel making region in Latin America. Unfortunately, on 5 November 2015 a huge tailings dam, operated by Brazilian mining company Samarco, collapsed and a tidal wave of 32m to 40m cubic meters of mining waste washed into the Doce river and across the bucolic countryside of pretty green valleys, villages and farmland killing 19 people and injuring many others. This sludge is so
loaded with heavy metals that the aquatic life in the river has been destroyed and returned to normal, devastating the lives of numerous. The cleanup is expected to take more than a decade. It is reported Samarco–a joint venture between the mining giants Vale and BHP Billiton – wants to cover over the mess and reopen the mine and save the river and reverine areas[21].
9.1.9 Yellow River, China
The second longest river in Asia and the sixth longest in the world, whose water is filled with a yellow sediment known as loess, hence the river with the name “Yellow River”, originates in the 'Bayan Har Mountains' in Qinghai province of Western China and terminates into the Bohai Sea near the city of Dongying in Shandong province. The river is
considered to be 'Cradle of Chinese civilization', and main source of drinking water. The
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condition of the Yellow river is troublesome in such a way that the water in it is so egregiously polluted and unfit even for agricultural use. The river has become dump yard for toxic waste and tons of sewage turning the colors of the river water other than yellow at many locations. But, there are environment activists, “Green Camel Bell”, established in 2004 in China who would like to clean up the river and is dedicated to the improvement of declining ecosystems in western China. The group is dedicated to educate people and bring back the quality of the Yellow River [22].
9.2 Most Polluted Rivers of India
The topmost rivers of India, which are severely polluted and reported are briefly covered as per their degree of pollution [23] in ascending order. The order may change up and down based on the monitoring and preventive measures taken by the concerned Authorities/States/Governments. 9.2.1 Wardha River
The Wardha River (Varada River) is one of the biggest rivers in Vidarbha region of India. Ironically, Wardha river viewed as a figure of purification by Hindus in this area. Famous historical places were built along the banks. The river is under constant threat of pollution by the discharges of ashes of dead bodies, floral wastes generated on account of pilgrimage, coal mining, agricultural runoff, cattle grazing, fecal contamination, washing of cloths and vehicles. As a result of pollution load, the surface layer of the river has been turned into yellowish and blackish at various spots. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Consent Appraisal Committee (CAC) have active roles in controlling pollution, but much more to be happened in preventing the pollution and people around the river are forced to use the polluted river water.
The Hindon River, a tributary of
9.2.2 Hindon River
Yamuna river in India, originates in Lower Himalayan Range. The river is entirely rainfed and flows between Ganges and Yamuna rivers for 400 km through the districts of Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida before joins Yamuna river just outside Delhi. The industries discharge their effluents, often with no treatment, directly into the Hindon River leading to toxic contaminations and affecting biological diversity of the river ecology. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels are zero throughout the length of this river. The tributary, The Kali river is also highly polluted from both raw sewage and industrial discharges and add to the pollution of the Hindon, as it passes through the populated and industrial belt of Uttar Pradesh and is targeted for clean-up under the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).
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9.2.3 Musi River
The Musi River is a tributary of the Krishna River and flowing through Telangana State. The city of Hyderabad stands on the banks of Musi river, which divides the historic old city and the new city.The Musi river was the cause of frequent flood devastation of Hyderabad city. The floods of September 28, 1908 caused huge devastation to Hyderabad and killed around 15,000 people. The modern era of the development of the twin cities began soon after the floods in 1908. However, due to indiscriminate urbanization and lack of planning in space and time with respect to population growth, industrialization and urbanization, the river has become a receptacle of untreated domestic and industrial waste dumping place.
The Mahi river flows through the States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat is one of the major Inter-State West flowing rivers of India. It originates from the northern slopes of Vindhyas at an altitude of 500 m in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The river is facing an intrusion of saline water from sea as there is no surface flow to push
9.2.4 Mahi River
the sea water back during a low tide. Due to this, the groundwater becomes saline in many areas. Effluents from industries are also adding to the river and accumulating along the downstream stretches leading to pollution of the river water.
The Gumti or Gomati
9.2.5 Gomti River
River a tributary of the Ganges is one of the major sources of water for Lucknow city. According to Hindu mythology, the river is the daughter of the Hindu sage Vashist, and believes that bathing in the Gomti on Ekadashi can wash away sins. The Gomti, a monsoon and groundwater fed river and extends 960 km in Uttar Pradesh and meets the Ganges near Saidpur, 27 km from Varanasi district. The river is under the threat of water pollution and the major sources of polluting the river are found to the wastewater flowing from industrial units, sugar factories and distilleries and residential units, especially from the city of Varanasi. The high pollution levels threaten it's aquatic life. The sewage treatment plant, promoted as Asia's largest one, failed to treat effectively the sewage and solid wastes entering into the river. The plant was intended to intercept about 23 major natural drains before their ways to the river Gomati.
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9.2.6 Oshiwara River
Oshiwara River is a river in Mumbai, India. The river is polluted mainly with industrial effluents and sewage. On its 10 km journey through the relatively pure environment of the national park, it is a clean stream. After that a cocktail of industrial pollutants are emptying into it as it crosses the Oshiwara Industrial Estate and slums of Andheri and cattle-sheds lining along its banks. After the 2005 Maharashtra floods in Mumbai, efforts are on to widen and clean up all the rivers. Some proposals include converting it into a waterway for barges, setting up small farms on its banks and introduce biogas plants to convert waste into energy.
Damodar River is a river flowing across the
9.2.7 Damodar River
Indian states of West Bengal and Jharkhand. The river basin is rich in mineral resources and home to large-scale mining and industrial activities. Earlier the river is known as the Sorrow of Bengal because of its ravaging floods in the plains of West Bengal. Since then, the Damodar and its tributaries have been somewhat tamed with the construction of several dams mainly for the generation of hydroelectric power. The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), came on July 7, 1948, by an Act of the Constituent Assembly of India (Act No.XIV of 1948) for the construction and management of the first multipurpose river valley project of the independent India. With so many coal industries sprouting on Damodar river’s mineral rich banks; the river is highly polluted in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
9.2.8 Sabarmati River
The Sabarmati river extends over the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat and originates from Aravalli hills at an elevation of 762 m in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. The Sabarmati basin is well-developed in water resources and Meshwo and Kharicut canal systems. Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad are the important urban Centres in the basin and the industrial city of Ahmadabad contributes water pollution to the river. Faecal coli form bacteria are also found to be highest in this river stretches.
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The Yamuna river is the longest and second largest
9.2.9 Yamuna River
tributary of the Ganges in northern India. It crosses Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 57 million people depend on the Yamuna waters. The river accounts for more than 70% of Delhi’s water supplies. The water of Yamuna is of "reasonably good quality" through its length from Yamunotri in the Himalayas to Wazirabad in Delhi. With the discharges of wastewater through about 15 drains between Wazirabad barrage and Okhla barrage, the river is becoming severely polluted. The river describes as a "sewage drain" with Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) values ranging from 14 to 28 mg/l and high coli-form content. There are three main sources of pollution in the river, namely households and municipal disposal sites; soil erosion resulting from deforestation occurring to make way for agriculture along with resulting chemical wash-off from fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides; and run-off from commercial activity and industrial units. It is reported that the Delhi City itself dumps about 58% wastes in Yamuna river.
9.3
The Ganga River is the India’s largest and holiest River and covers about 26 per cent of the country’s landmass and supports 43 per cent of its population. It is ranked and reported recently as the most severely polluted river in India as well as in the world [24]. The Ganges originates at the Gangotri glacier in the western Himalayas and its drainage area lies in four countries, namely India, Nepal, Tibet (China), and Bangladesh with major part in India. The total length of the
The Ganga River
Ganga River is reported to 2,525 km and out of which the navigable length is 631 km. The States through which the river passes in India are Uttar Pradesh (28.02%), Madhya Pradesh (21.02%),Rajasthan (13.06%), Bihar (10.86%),West Bengal (8.3%), Uttarakhand (6.15%), Jharkhand (5.85%), Haryana (3.99 %), Chhattisgarh (2.08 %), Himachal Pradesh (0.5 %) and Delhi (0.17 %).
A sharp decline in the quality of the Ganga water is reported to taking place and
the causes indicted are the increasing levels of pollution load coming from urban and industrial areas especially located along its banks. Those agloromations discharge untreated wastes and industrial effluents to the river Ganga and its tributaries. Added to this, people bathe in the 'holy' waters with the sacred belief that the water can purportedly cleanse their sins; wash their clothes; cook on its banks; and throw wastages of pooja materials and other left overs and partially burned/dead bodies, especially by those who can’t afford for full cremation rituals.
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Attempts are made to clean up the Ganges River. However, the efforts considered to be one of the greatest clean up efforts to a polluted river in the world, it has been witnessed failures because of varied reasons, such as fund crises, limitations in timely adaptations of advanced technologies, lack of capacity building and awareness creations and supportive data availability in places [25].
The industrial and municipal
waste discharges thus made various segments of the Ganga river even unfit for bathing. Since the Ganga carries industrial and untreated sewage from 114 cities, each having a population of more than 50,000, about 25% of the total pollution load of the Ganga is reported to be coming from the industrial waste and that too from the prominent urban cities of Kolkota, Varanasi and Kanpur. Further, about 75% of the pollution of the Ganga is from untreated sewage, out of which 88% comes from 25 class-I cities.
As a result, in January 1986 the government of India launched the
Ganga Action Plan (GAP) with the main objective of pollution abatement, to improve the water quality by Interception, Diversion and Treatment of domestic sewage and toxic and industrial chemical wastes from identified polluting units entering in to the river.
The GAP-I had been selected 25 towns located along the river in Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar and West Bengal. In 1993, the second phase (GAP-II) continued the programme, but also included the work on four tributaries of the river — Yamuna, Gomti, Damodar and Mahanadi. In August 2009, the Union Government re-launched the Ganga Action Plan with a reconstituted National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). Under the notification, dated February 20, 2009, the government gave the river the status of a National River. At the time of launching, the main objective of GAP was to improve the water quality of Ganga to acceptable standards by preventing the pollution load reaching the river. However, as decided in a meeting of the Monitoring Committee of Planning Commission in June, 1987, the objective of the GAP was recast as restoring the river water quality to the 'Bathing Class' standard which is as follows:
Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 3 mg/l maximum Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 5 mg/l minimum Total Coliform 10,000 per 100 ml Faecal Coliform 25,00 per 100 ml
According to the observations of the CPCB conducted in July 2013, fecal coliform
levels in the mainstream of the river for about 2,500 km from Gangotri to Diamond Harbour indicated that the fecal coliform levels remain above the acceptable level in all stretches as indicated above. In the upper reaches of highly oxygenated stretches too especially in places like Rudraprayag and Devprayag, the fecal coliform levels are found to be higher than permissible levels. Now the pollution levels are a cause of worry mainly for the mega and fast growing cities situated along the river. According to the CPCB’s monitoring data, BOD levels are also high downstream of Haridwar, Kannauj and Kanpur and peak at Varanasi.
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It is also reported that the tannery, sugar, pulp & paper and chemical industries contribute about 270 MLD of wastewater. While tanneries are large in number and contribute about 8% of the wastewater but is highly toxic and concentrated in Kanpur belt. Sugar, pulp & paper and distillery plants add up to 70% of the wastewater. The inspections by the CPCB showed that out of the 404 units inspected, only 23 required no action. The rest were non-compliant in terms of the laws of the country and the enforcement actions taken are in various stages and still in processes. It is also reported that all these stretches flowing through the mega cities are heavily populated and faced with increasing freshwater withdrawals and demands from the growning population settle along the river sides. Here the point again to be noted is that water is taken from the river for agriculture, industry and domestic and drinking purposes of the cities, but what is returned to the river is only wastewater or effluents.
Now, it is recognized that the entire basin of the river has to be the basis for
planning and implementation. Now it is also widely accepted that it is not sufficient enough to plan for one city’s pollution without considering the impacts of the pollution on the upstream and downstream areas of the river. The key problems and preventions mainly needed for pollution abatements are observed as:
9.3.1 Key Problems Observed
• Inadequate provisioning of environmental flow of water to the river • Providing additional and ensured flows during Kumbh Mela • Growing quantum of untreated sewage discharged from cities to the river
and • Point-source pollution from industries and discharging of effluents directly
to the river without any prior treatment • Massive gap between the generation of domestic sewage and industrial
effluents and the treatment capacity developed even in the main stretches of the River Ganga.
Hence, funds and concentrated efforts have been further sanctioned and planned
to create infrastructures sufficient enough to collect and convey the sewages and treat them before disposing it to the river.
9.3.2 Pollution Abatement Mechanisms and Establishment of NMCG
In order to make the “Mission on Clean Ganga”, more effective a National Mission
for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was established. It is registered as a society on 12-08- 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It acted as implementation arm of the NGRBA, which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986. NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council) vide Notification No. S.O. 3187(E) dated 07-10- 2016 under EPA 1986. The Act envisages five tier structure at National, State and District Levels to take measures for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in the river Ganga and to ensure continuous and adequate flow of water so as to rejuvenate the river Ganga as below:
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• National Ganga Council under chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. • Empowered Task Force (ETF) on river Ganga under chairmanship of Hon’ble
Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). • State Ganga Committees and • District Ganga Committees in every specified district abutting river Ganga and its
tributaries in the states.
The NMCG has been strengthened with a two tier management structure and comprise of Governing Council and Executive Committee. Both of them are headed by Director General, NMCG. Similar to structure at National Level, State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) acts as implementing arm of State Ganga Committees. Thus the newly created structure attempts to bring all stakeholders on one platform to take a holistic approach towards the task of Ganga cleaning and rejuvenation [27]. Presently, The NMCG under the MoWR,RD&GR have started taking effective, concerted and coordinated actions along with the State Governments for completions of projects ranging from Municipal Sewerage Infrastructure, Ghats and Crematoria, River Front Development, Rural Sanitation, Industrial Development etc on a time bound manner targeting to set all in place by 2019-20. It is a big challenge for the Central and State Governments of India. Everyone now hope that with the above cited arrangements, structural set up, and committed actionsand continued efforts, the River Ganga will regain its purity and run clean once again. 10. Way Forward 10.1 National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
It may recall that India's participation in UN Conferences on Human Environment held at Stockholm in June 1972 and Environment and Development held at Rio De Janeiro in June 1992 resulted in the enactment of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 providing for establishment of a National Green Tribunal (NGT) for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection. Section 20 of the Act clearly stipulates that the principles of sustainable development, the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle are to be applied while passing any order or decision or award [28]. The clause is to be applied strigently. 10.2 Composite Water Management Index towards Efficiency Building
Recently, in April, 2017 NITI Aayog, Government of India has developed a Composite Water Management Index as a useful tool to assess and further improve the performance in efficient management of water resources. The index would provide useful information for the States and also for the concerned Central Ministries /Departments for enabling them to formulate and implement suitable strategies including capacity building and awareness creations among public for better management of their Water Resources.
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The Water Management Index has been finalised after an elaborate exercise including seeking feedback from the States and consultation with reputed Experts. The Index has a set of 28 Key Performances Indicators (KPIs) covering irrigation status, drinking water and other water – related sectors, including policy and governance for protection of Water Bodies, like Rivers. The NITI Aayog has also introduced a scoring methodology for ranking of each State, based on their feedback/activities on entry made on each KPI [29]. The scoring assigns the importance given to improvement made by each State Government in their water sector including for their Rivers.The exercises is to be monitored periodically to have positive impacts and benefits in the water sector.
10.3 Establishment of River Management Board
When the management of river water in India is concerned, the core issue is to be understood and considered in such a way that most of the Indian rivers are Inter-State in nature and two or more State boundaries are intercepting in its drainage areas. Hence, supportive and coordinated actions are to be taken involving all stakeholders and people in general concerned for their sustainable development, management and monitoring for the abatments of water pollution, prevention and rejuvenation issues. Recently, ever since the Cauvery and Mahanadi water disputes came in media, there are many discussions on water quantum available for sharing from rivers and river basins as a whole. It would be better, if formation of River Management Board for each river basin, starting with major river basins of India, like Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery, Krishna etc and can form as a way forward for generation of amicable solutions at the earliest to ensure prevention of rivers from pollutions, degradations and thereby heading for Rejuvenation of Rivers and River Basins/Sub-Basins with sustenances [30] for ensuring equitable distributions of adequate quality/quantity of river flows. 11.0 Conclusion
It is often reported, “Solution to Pollution is Dilution”. This has been the mantra of people who like to think water pollution can be avoided simply by adding enough water to the water bodies. But, we have to understand that there are too many people and too many demanding hands in demands for availing various uses. But, the alarming fact is that not enough fresh water, even to distribute for drinking purpose. In this circumstance, one has to realize that one of the world’s biggest problems is lack of clean or pollution free drinking water and that adequate fresh water is to be conserved, preserved from getting polluted and used efficiently and effectively in various demanding sectors of water resources.
The polluted rivers mentioned above in India and Worldwide are objectionably dirty, some of which are so much incredibly filthy as sighted above in such a way that we may have to wonder why anybody including us would go nearer to them and drink from them. Yet we do so, as we must, because we have little or no choice or option other than that. Then we can even think about the apathetical situations of animals that struggle to alive in those polluted river regions and waters.It is indeed unfortunate that most rivers, which could have been used for various constructive proposes, are being polluted and contaminated largely due to human interventions and negligence. Thus, river as an important source of food, water and daily livelyhood is now facing dangerous and alarming crises. However, hope remains with the thinking that our rivers will allow
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flows of fresh water as long as Central/State Governments along with Regional/Local and People at large start show sensitivity and responsibility to view the vision on prevention on river pollutions and rejuvenations of rivers in a focussed manner as a national priority for fulfilling each one’s necessities.
12.0 Reference
1. F.W. Owa, 2014, “Water pollution: sources, effects, control and management”, International Letters of Natural Sciences, ISSN 2300-9675
2. Website 3. The Environment Protection Act, 1986, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Department of
Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Government of India.
http://envfor.nic.in/division/wildlife
4. Website http://www.moef.nic.in/water_pollution 5. Technical Manual for preparation of State Water Plans for basins, MWRRA, 2007. 6. National Water Policy 1987, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. 7. National Water Policy 2002, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. 8. National Water Policy 2012/13, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India 9. South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People; May 2012; Rivers: Legal and Institutional Issues
in India 10. Boon, 2001, Protecting water Resources; Pollution Prevention; Thematic Background paper:
International conference on fresh water. 11. UNEP,2000, Global Environment Outlook – 2000, London, Earthscan. 12. World Resources Institute, UNEP, UNDP & the World Bank (1996), World Resources 1996-97,
New York, Oxford University Press. 13. Shiklomanov, I.A.,1997, Comprehensive Assessment of the Freshwater Resources of the World:
Assessment of water resources and water availability in the world, CSD5, Stockholm, World Meteorological Organisation and Stockholm Environment Institute.
14. IUCN,2000, Vision for water and nature: A world strategy for conservation and sustainable management of water resources in the 21st century, background paper to the Hague conference by IUCN, World Water Vision & World Water Council.
15. McCartney, M.P, Acreman, M.C. & Bergkamp, G.,1999, Vision for Water and Nature: Freshwater ecosystem management and environmental security, Background paper to Vision for Water and Nature Workshop, San Jose (Costa Rica), 20-22 June 1999.
16. Vandana Shiva,2000, Feeding frenzy, in The Guardian, 17 May 2000. 17. Polluted River Stretches in India ; Criteria and Status; Central Pollution Control Board, GoI 18. https://helpsavenature.com/effects-of-water-pollution-on-animals 19. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act 20. https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/impaired-waters-and-nutrients 21. https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/oct/15/samarco-dam-collapse-brazil-
worst-environmental-disaster-bhp-billiton-vale-mining 22. http://www.uu.se/en/media/news/article/?id=5336&typ= 23. http://kanigas.com/10-most-polluted-rivers-of-india/ 24. soapboxie.com/social-issues/What-Are-the-10-Most-Polluted-Rivers-in-the-World 25. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution_of_the_Ganges#Ganga_Action_Plan 26. Source: Sunita Narain, 2014, Ganga, The River, Its Pollution and what We can do to Clean it, A
Centre for Science and Environment briefing paper, Published by Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi.
27. http://nmcg.nic.in/about_nmcg.aspx 28. Water Pollution in India, Eighth Report, Public Accounts Committee(2014-15), Ministry of
Environment and Forests 29. NITI Aayog; Composite Water Management Index, Government of India; April 2017 30. SC reserves Cauvery Verdict, The Hindu, Delhi Edition, dated 21 September, 2017
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Technical Digest
I Feasibility Studies for Inter Basin Water Transfer Projects
IA. Peninsular Component
The Surveys & Investigation (S&I) works and preparation of Feasibility Reports (FRs) of all 16 Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) Projects under Peninsular Component have been completed except two minor link projects viz. Bedti–Varda and Netravati–Hemavati. Reviews of the studies conducted by NWDA on the proposed IBWT projects of Mahanadi-Godavari and Godavari-Krishna are also going on in consultation with the concerned State Governments as given below: IA.1. Bedti-Varada Link Project The Government of Karnataka has conveyed their concurrence for preparation of the FR, but the work was stalled due to opposition of local NGO, who demanded that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for the concerned area should be done first by the Government of Karnataka with approved Terms of Reference (ToR). The representative of the Government of Karnataka now informed that the EIA studies of Bedti-Varada link project have been entrusted as per the ToR prepared by NWDA to a consultant by the Government of Karnataka. IA.2 Netravati-Hemavati Link Project The Government of Karnataka has not conveyed their concurrence for preparation of the FR of Netravati-Hemavati Link so far. The representative of the Government of Karnataka informed that the Government is prepared a DPR of Yettinhole Project for envisaging transfer of Netravati water in their own regions. NWDA examined report and observed that both the proposals namely, (i) Yettinhole project as proposed by Karnataka State and (ii) Netravati-Hemavati link project as proposed by NWDA as a part of the NPP, MoWR, RD & GR, Government of India can be planned. IA.3 Alternative Studies on Mahanadi-Godavari Link for DPR Preparation
As decided in various meetings of the Sub-Committee of the SCILR on System Studies for identification of most appropriate alternative plan for the proposed Mahanadi-Godavari link project has been revised by the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee incorporating the hydrological and multi reservoir simulation studies. The report thereafter was discussed in various meetings of NWDA/SC-ILR. The Government of Odisha has not agreed with the water balance study carried out by the NIH and made certain observations on the study, which are being examined by NWDA.
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IA.4 Status of Godavari-Krishna Link Project NWDA has also revised the water balance study of Godavari basin at Inchampalli dam site by considering the views of Telangana State and also the latest available data. The study was presented to the Sub-Committee for System Studies and opinioned that NWDA should reassess the ultimate water utilization data as an independent expert, based on the data as given in the published/authenticated reports of Telangana State and re-work the water balance and re-submit to Sub–Committee. Accordingly, the project details from the published documents pertaining to Godavari basin from the Government of Telangana were obtained and the study was revised. The results obtained are:
Details As per Revised WBS of NWDA vide TS 99
(2015)
Present Study (2016) (Considering the Utilization Data as per Telangana Government )
75% 50% 75% 50% Surface Water Balance (MCM)
7691 22170 5002 19481
The Sub–Committee desired that the reason of reduction in yield and water balance should be indicated in the report. IB. Himalayan Component
Out of the total 14 links identified in the NPP under the Himalayan Rivers Development Component, FRs of 2 link projects namely, Sarda-Yamuna and Ghaghra-Yamuna pertaining to the Indian portion are completed. The draft FRs pertaining to the 7 links as given below are also completed.
i) Yamuna-Rajasthan link ii) Farakka-Sunderbans link iii) Ganga(Farakka)-Damodar-Subernarekha link iv) Subernarekha-Mahanadi link v) Chunar-Sone Barrage link vi) Rajasthan-Sabarmati link viii) Gandak-Ganga link
The S&I works of Kosi-Ghaghara link project components, which are coming under Indian Portion, have been completed by March 2013. The S&I works and preparation of the draft FR of M-S-T-G link have also been completed during the year 2017. In addition to this, the S&I works using Remote Sensing Technology pertaining to Sone Dam - Southern Tributaries of Ganga (STG) link project have also been completed. Remaining two link proje
