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amuna River is a major river in India and flows through the city of Delhi. Some details about the importance of Yamuna River in Delhi:
Historical and cultural significance: Yamuna River has historical and cultural importance in Delhi. It is mentioned in ancient Indian texts and writings and is considered sacred by Hindus. Many temples and ghats (water steps) along the river have religious and cultural significance.
Water use: Yamuna River is the main water source of Delhi. The city draws water from the river for various purposes, including drinking water, irrigation and industry. However, over the years, pollution has worsened the water quality of the Yamuna River, causing serious problems in water purification and irrigation.
Pollution Problem: Yamuna River in Delhi faces serious pollution problems due to various factors such as industrial wastes, untreated sewage, agricultural water and sewage treatment. Heavy pollution has led to reduced water quality, loss of aquatic biodiversity and health risks for river-dependent communities.
Activity Report: The Government of India and the Government of Delhi have initiated various projects for cleaning and restoration of the Yamuna River. These include plans to intercept and treat sewage, treat wetlands, and prevent pollution. But progress has been slow and the river still faces serious pollution problems.
Activities: Despite the pollution problem, the Yamuna river supports many activities in Delhi. Work on developing boating and inland waterways to promote tourism and recreation along the river. Efforts to improve water quality and sanitation are important for improving river activity.
Environmental impact: The health of the Yamuna River in Delhi has a huge impact on the city’s environment and ecosystem. Water pollution affects air quality, soil fertility and environmental biodiversity. Improving the health of the Yamuna river is important to maintain Delhi’s ecological balance and sustainability.
Overall, the Yamuna River is culturally and environmentally important for Delhi. Addressing pollution and improving water security is an important task to ensure the health of cities and their residents.
Pollution of Yamuna River in Delhi
Pollution of Yamuna River in Delhi is a major environmental and public health problem.
Drainage: One of the main causes of pollution in the Delhi Yamuna is unhealthy drainage and wastewater. The city’s sewage treatment system is inadequate to handle the large volumes of sewage produced every day, resulting in much of it being discharged directly into rivers.
Industrial Pollution: Industries along the Yamuna River in Delhi also pollute it. Sewage containing heavy metals, chemicals and other pollutants is often discharged directly into rivers, further contaminating water quality.
Agricultural runoff: Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals also increases the pollution load of the Yamuna river. These pollutants enter the rivers through rivers, especially during the monsoon season, affecting water quality and water quality.
Garbage and Garbage: Garbage, including plastic waste, litter and litter, is often thrown into the water. Yamuna River is polluting its water quality and destroying its ecosystem.
Health: Polluted water of the Yamuna River poses a serious threat to people who depend on this water for drinking, bathing and other household purposes. Contaminated water can cause waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid, which cause illness and death, especially among vulnerable groups.
Loss of Biodiversity: Pollution in the Yamuna River has led to reduced biodiversity of the water; Many fish and other aquatic creatures struggled to survive in polluted water. Loss of biodiversity has an ecological impact, affecting the overall health of river ecosystems.
Government Initiatives: The Government of India and the Government of Delhi have launched various initiatives to address the Yamuna crisis, including the Yamuna Action Plan and the Namami Ganges Plan. Measures aimed at improving wastewater treatment, controlling industrial pollution and promoting coastal development, as well as encouraging public participation and awareness campaigns.
Despite these efforts, pollution of the Yamuna River in Delhi remains a major problem requiring support, action and investment in pollution control, wastewater treatment and environmental protection. Collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations and citizens is crucial to solve this complex problem and restore the health of the Yamuna River.
Yamuna Cleaning Projects in Delhi
Several projects have been initiated to address the pollution and undertake the cleaning of the Yamuna River in Delhi.
Yamuna Action Plan (YAP): The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993 by the Government of India with the aim of improving the water quality of the Yamuna River. Under this plan, various sewage treatment plants were constructed and riverfront development projects were initiated to reduce pollution and enhance the river’s aesthetic appeal.
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): Numerous sewage treatment plants have been established along the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi to treat domestic sewage and industrial effluents before discharge into the river. These plants play a crucial role in reducing the pollution load on the Yamuna.
Interception and Diversion of Sewage Drains: The Delhi government has undertaken projects to intercept and divert untreated sewage drains that discharge directly into the Yamuna. By redirecting sewage flows to treatment plants, these projects aim to reduce the direct input of pollutants into the river.
Yamuna Bank Development Project: The Yamuna Bank Development Project focuses on the beautification and rejuvenation of the Yamuna riverfront in Delhi. It includes the development of parks, recreational facilities, and walking trails along the riverbanks, as well as the construction of sewage treatment infrastructure and green buffers to mitigate pollution.
Industrial Effluent Treatment: Efforts have been made to regulate and treat industrial effluents discharged into the Yamuna River. Industries located along the riverbanks are required to install effluent treatment plants to treat their wastewater before discharge, thereby reducing the pollution load on the river.
Yamuna Monitoring Committee: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted the Yamuna Monitoring Committee to oversee the implementation of pollution control measures and the cleaning of the Yamuna River in Delhi. The committee monitors compliance with environmental regulations and recommends corrective actions to address pollution hotspots.
Public Awareness and Participation: Various awareness campaigns and community engagement initiatives have been undertaken to involve the public in the cleaning and conservation of the Yamuna River. These efforts aim to foster a sense of responsibility among citizens towards protecting the river and its ecosystem.
Despite these initiatives, the pollution of the Yamuna River in Delhi remains a significant challenge, and continued efforts are required to achieve the desired improvement in water quality and ecosystem health. Collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and the public is essential to sustain the momentum of cleaning projects and restore the Yamuna to its pristine state.
The Delhi government is preparing a 5-point plan to clean the Yamuna water by 2025 and ensure better coordination to comply with the programme.
The Delhi government has launched five action plans to clean the city’s major rivers and ensure that only treated water flows into the Yamuna river.
According to the program, residential treatment centers will be established at 10 different points in Najafgarh, Supplementary and Shahdara sewers. Home remedies include floating fences, gutters, ventilation equipment and wet areas. In addition, chemicals will be added at appropriate points to reduce the amount of phosphate in wastewater.
Delhi Water Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the pilot worked in various parts of three wells last year. – We have decided to expand wastewater treatment, which will reduce pollution in the Yamuna River. The Yamuna will be lifted automatically when the water flows out. ” he said.
All major water wells such as Najafgarh, additional water and Shahdara water will be converted into clean water by the government. > Bamboo and plastic buoys with ventilation systems have been installed in other places.
According to the plan, different methods will be included in different areas:
Floating fences will be installed to clean the water in different areas so that plastic waste can be collected and left in one place. In addition, on-site treatment will be carried out by collecting clean water from the same place without transporting it to another place.
Weirs (dams) will be built on streams. The purpose of building dams is to increase the depth of the water and to ensure the release of good material into the groundwater. Clear water flows forward from the end of the pool.
Aeration equipment will be installed to ensure that the water is clean by dissolving the gas in the water.
Floating soil will be laid in many places to absorb water from the soil. These will be made from bamboo, which is cheaper and can last for many years. Plants will be planted in wetlands to help purify water by absorbing pollutants.
Chemical will be added to the well in order to reduce the amount of phosphate in the wastewater. Phosphate is one of the major pollutants causing the Yamuna river to foam.
