The Yamuna, India's most polluted river

Summary

The Yamuna River, once a pristine waterway, is now severely polluted, especially as it flows through Delhi and Agra. The river's transformation from clean, life-sustaining water to a toxic waste stream is driven by human activities, including industrial pollution, sewage, and agricultural runoff. Despite its dire state, millions of people depend on its water. Efforts to clean the river have largely failed, with local communities resorting to makeshift solutions. Activists and residents continue to fight for the Yamuna's survival, hoping to restore its health, but the challenge remains monumental.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Yamuna River, originating from the Himalayas, undergoes a dramatic transformation as it passes through Delhi, heavily polluted by human activities.
• 😀 The river's water quality deteriorates after it flows past certain industrial zones, with toxic metals and pesticides contaminating the water.
• 😀 In some areas of the river, oxygen levels are zero, making it impossible for any animal life to survive, though humans continue to rely on its waters.
• 😀 Despite a Supreme Court ban on growing crops along the Yamuna due to contamination risks, thousands of kilograms of vegetables grown in its polluted water are consumed daily.
• 😀 Workers like Sakander, who have worked along the Yamuna for years, find ways to make a living by collecting trash from the river, despite its pollution.
• 😀 Hindus revere the Yamuna as a goddess and gather on its banks to pray, believing the river brings health and prosperity, despite its severe pollution.
• 😀 Industrial waste, including chemicals from factories, is regularly dumped into the Yamuna, further contributing to its contamination.
• 😀 Over 60 million people depend on the Yamuna for water, yet many communities experience health problems from drinking the polluted water.
• 😀 Local water filtration systems in some areas, like PTI Paty Village, are ineffective, leaving people with no choice but to drink contaminated water.
• 😀 Activists like Bridge CLE wall are fighting to rescue the Yamuna, with some advocating for legal action to hold those responsible for its pollution accountable, even calling for human rights for the river itself.

Q & A

What transformation does the Yamuna River undergo as it travels from the Himalayas to Delhi?

The Yamuna River starts clean in the Himalayan region but becomes heavily polluted with heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and pesticides as it flows through various areas, particularly near Delhi, where oxygen levels in parts of the river are zero, making it unable to sustain animal life.

How do human activities affect the water quality of the Yamuna River?

Human activities such as industrial effluents, sewage discharge, and agricultural runoff contribute to the severe pollution of the Yamuna, leading to the presence of toxic metals, pesticides, and a lack of oxygen in the water.

What is the role of Sakander in relation to the Yamuna River?

Sakander is a worker who has been collecting trash from the Yamuna River for 30 years. He earns a modest income by scavenging for waste and recycling it, although he believes the river’s polluted state doesn't affect his livelihood much.

How do local communities continue to rely on the Yamuna despite its pollution?

Despite its pollution, many people in the region, including farmers and residents, continue to rely on the Yamuna for water. Some even grow vegetables using its polluted water, despite warnings that it could contaminate the food supply.

What health issues have been reported by people drinking polluted water from the Yamuna?

Residents in areas like Agra have reported health problems such as joint pain and difficulty walking after consuming water from the Yamuna, as it remains untreated and contaminated.

What is the state of water filtration in villages near the Yamuna?

In villages near the Yamuna, such as PTI Paty Village, government-installed water filters are ineffective. Despite being promised regular maintenance, the filtration systems have not been serviced in years, leading to the continued consumption of contaminated water.

What religious significance does the Yamuna hold for Hindus?

For Hindus, the Yamuna is considered a goddess, and tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the river each year, especially in towns like Mathura and Vrindavan, to pray and immerse themselves in the water, believing it brings health and prosperity.

How does industrial waste impact the Yamuna River?

Industrial waste, such as chemicals from factories (e.g., a sari dyeing factory near Mathura), is a major contributor to the Yamuna’s pollution. These chemicals flow into local drains and eventually into the river, contaminating the water and the surrounding food and water supplies.

What legal actions have been taken to protect the Yamuna River?

The Uttarakhand High Court has recognized both the Yamuna and the Ganga Rivers as living entities with human rights, but enforcement of these rights has been challenging. Efforts to regulate pollution and punish those responsible have not been successful.

What measures have residents in Agra taken to address the pollution of the Yamuna?

In Agra, local activists and residents have initiated a prayer ceremony to bless bricks that they hope will be used to build a barrage, which could raise the water levels in the city. They also plan to seek legal action against those responsible for the river's pollution.