Water Pollution in India: Ganga River Basin Case study
Introduction
India has rich water resources with approximately 45000 long riverine systems, with 12 river basins, 46 medium river basins, and 14 minor and desert river basins. Ganga river basin is the largest of these covering over 11 states namely Uttarakhand, U.P., M.P., Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Delhi.
Rapidly increasing population, rising standards of living, and exponential growth in industrialization and urbanization have exposed the water resources to various forms of degradation, especially rivers and realizing the state of affairs, Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985.
Ganga Basin
Ganga river drains a basin of …show more content…
• Afforestation • Public awareness and participation.
An apex body called Central Ganga Authority (CGA) was set up under the Prime Minister of India to oversee implementation of the action plan, with a steering committee and monitoring committee. (Appendix II)
Industrial Pollution
Industrial pollution constitutes around 20% of the total pollution but the contribution of pollution to the river is greater because of the high concentration of industrial pollutants.
Water Quality Status of River Ganga
Water monitoring is undertaken with the objective of defining the status of water quality, to provide an idea of trend in water quality, useful for long term assessment.
Before launching GAP, a comprehensive study of water quality in the river basin was undertaken through 21 water quality parameters, identified and carried through scientific institutes along the river and having necessary capabilities, monitored monthly and published at regular intervals .
Pre GAP status: Dissolved Oxygen (DO): stable pattern with minor fluctuations
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) : BOD depicts the pollution stays of a stream and measured as oxygen equivalent of organic matter with values exhibiting higher pollution level during post monsoon months than in summers or …show more content…
Future Course of Action
The need for revamping the river conservation program was widely recognized in view of the shortcomings of the approach followed in the Ganga Action Plan (GAP). The increasing pollution load from expanding cities, diminishing flows due to melting of glaciers, adverse health impacts, ineffective enforcement of environmental norms and lack of social mobilization compound the challenge.
Proposed Action Plan (recommendations)
Preparation of a River Basin Management Plan for the Ganga Basin
Preparation of a Status paper on Ganga
Preparation of Action Plans for the hotspots like Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, etc. in consultation with the State Governments.
Discussion on modalities of setting up of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) at appropriate locations as a means of mobilizing private sector resources and achieving efficiencies.
Mapping of the Ganga Basin
Preparation of a Compendium of sewage treatment technologies
Preparation of a memorandum of agreement to be signed between the Central Government, State Governments and ULBs linking flow of funds to achievement of agreed milestones.
Introduction
India has rich water resources with approximately 45000 long riverine systems, with 12 river basins, 46 medium river basins, and 14 minor and desert river basins. Ganga river basin is the largest of these covering over 11 states namely Uttarakhand, U.P., M.P., Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Delhi.
Rapidly increasing population, rising standards of living, and exponential growth in industrialization and urbanization have exposed the water resources to various forms of degradation, especially rivers and realizing the state of affairs, Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985.
Ganga Basin
Ganga river drains a basin of …show more content…
• Afforestation • Public awareness and participation.
An apex body called Central Ganga Authority (CGA) was set up under the Prime Minister of India to oversee implementation of the action plan, with a steering committee and monitoring committee. (Appendix II)
Industrial Pollution
Industrial pollution constitutes around 20% of the total pollution but the contribution of pollution to the river is greater because of the high concentration of industrial pollutants.
Water Quality Status of River Ganga
Water monitoring is undertaken with the objective of defining the status of water quality, to provide an idea of trend in water quality, useful for long term assessment.
Before launching GAP, a comprehensive study of water quality in the river basin was undertaken through 21 water quality parameters, identified and carried through scientific institutes along the river and having necessary capabilities, monitored monthly and published at regular intervals .
Pre GAP status: Dissolved Oxygen (DO): stable pattern with minor fluctuations
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) : BOD depicts the pollution stays of a stream and measured as oxygen equivalent of organic matter with values exhibiting higher pollution level during post monsoon months than in summers or …show more content…
Future Course of Action
The need for revamping the river conservation program was widely recognized in view of the shortcomings of the approach followed in the Ganga Action Plan (GAP). The increasing pollution load from expanding cities, diminishing flows due to melting of glaciers, adverse health impacts, ineffective enforcement of environmental norms and lack of social mobilization compound the challenge.
Proposed Action Plan (recommendations)
Preparation of a River Basin Management Plan for the Ganga Basin
Preparation of a Status paper on Ganga
Preparation of Action Plans for the hotspots like Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, etc. in consultation with the State Governments.
Discussion on modalities of setting up of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) at appropriate locations as a means of mobilizing private sector resources and achieving efficiencies.
Mapping of the Ganga Basin
Preparation of a Compendium of sewage treatment technologies
Preparation of a memorandum of agreement to be signed between the Central Government, State Governments and ULBs linking flow of funds to achievement of agreed milestones.