Sungai Paling Tercemar Di India? Busa Beracun Malah Dipakai Mandi! Yamuna! | Learning By Googling

Summary

The script highlights the severe pollution of the Yamuna River in India, one of the most contaminated rivers globally. Despite its sacred status in Hinduism, the river has become a dumping ground for industrial waste, sewage, and harmful chemicals, leading to dangerously high levels of toxins and bacteria. The river's contamination is exacerbated by practices such as the annual religious bathing festival, where people immerse themselves in the toxic waters, unaware of the health risks. The script underscores the paradox of revering the river while simultaneously polluting it, discussing the devastating impact on public health, ecosystems, and the local community.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Yamuna River, once pristine, is now one of the most polluted rivers in India due to industrial waste, untreated sewage, and chemical pollutants.
• 😀 The river holds religious significance in Hinduism, being considered a sacred river representing the goddess Yamuna, which adds a paradoxical layer to its pollution problem.
• 😀 Despite being heavily contaminated, the Yamuna River is still used for bathing and religious rituals, such as the Chhath Puja festival, where people bathe in its toxic waters.
• 😀 The pollution in the Yamuna River is so severe that it has high levels of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), which leads to the death of aquatic organisms due to oxygen depletion.
• 😀 The river’s BOD levels are alarmingly high, with values often exceeding 12-28 mg/l, far above the safe threshold of 3 mg/l.
• 😀 Hazardous foam, made from chemical waste, forms on the surface of the river, which may look harmless but is toxic and contributes to further contamination.
• 😀 The bacteria count in the Yamuna River is dangerously high, with coliform bacteria levels reaching 1.1 billion per 100 ml of water, far exceeding safe limits for bathing.
• 😀 New Delhi, despite only accounting for 2% of the Yamuna River’s length, contributes to 76% of the river's pollution, highlighting the role of urban areas in water contamination.
• 😀 Approximately 800 million liters of waste are dumped into the Yamuna daily, with a significant portion being industrial waste that is not properly treated before being discharged.
• 😀 The water in the Yamuna contains harmful heavy metals like chromium and iron at levels 71 times higher than the safe limit, posing serious health risks, including cancer and organ damage.
• 😀 Previous attempts to restore the river have failed, with pollution levels remaining high despite efforts by local and international organizations.

Q & A

What makes the Yamuna River one of the most polluted rivers in the world?

The Yamuna River is one of the most polluted rivers due to the high levels of industrial waste, untreated detergents, human and animal waste, and toxic chemicals that have contaminated the water. The Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is extremely high, indicating a severe lack of oxygen and a high level of pollution.

What is Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and why is it important in assessing water quality?

BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in the process of breaking down organic material in the water. A high BOD level indicates low oxygen availability, which is harmful to aquatic life, as it leads to the death of organisms like fish due to oxygen depletion.

How does the pollution in the Yamuna River affect aquatic life?

The high levels of pollution in the Yamuna River, particularly from industrial waste and human activity, result in very low oxygen levels, making it difficult for aquatic life to survive. The river’s ecosystem is damaged, and many aquatic organisms, including fish, die due to the lack of oxygen.

What role do the foam bubbles on the surface of the Yamuna River play in the pollution?

The foam bubbles on the surface of the Yamuna River are toxic, originating from industrial waste and detergent chemicals. These bubbles appear fluffy and harmless but are actually dangerous, containing high levels of ammonia and phosphates, which contribute to water toxicity and pose health risks to humans.

Why do people still bathe in the Yamuna River despite its pollution?

People continue to bathe in the Yamuna River because it is considered a sacred and holy river in Hinduism, believed to cleanse individuals of sins and provide spiritual benefits. Despite the river’s polluted state, many still participate in religious rituals, like the Chhath Puja festival, where bathing in the river is an important tradition.

What health risks are associated with bathing in the polluted Yamuna River?

Bathing in the polluted Yamuna River can lead to serious health issues, including skin allergies, rashes, and other dermatological conditions due to the presence of toxic chemicals and bacteria. There are also risks of respiratory problems, infections, and even cancer from exposure to harmful substances like ammonia and heavy metals.

How does the pollution in Yamuna impact agriculture in the surrounding regions?

The high levels of heavy metals, such as chromium and iron, in the Yamuna River can contaminate irrigation water used for farming. If crops are irrigated with this polluted water, they may absorb these toxins, making the crops dangerous for consumption and potentially harming human health.

What efforts have been made to clean the Yamuna River, and have they been successful?

Several cleaning efforts have been made to restore the Yamuna River, including joint projects with Japan. However, these initiatives have largely failed, and the river continues to be heavily polluted. Despite the efforts, pollution levels remain high, and the river remains toxic.

What percentage of the pollution in the Yamuna River comes from New Delhi, and why is it a significant issue?

Approximately 76% of the pollution in the Yamuna River comes from New Delhi, even though only 2% of the river's length passes through the city. This significant pollution is a result of industrial waste, untreated sewage, and household waste being directly dumped into the river, exacerbating the overall contamination.

Can the Yamuna River ever be fully restored to its original state?

While efforts to clean the Yamuna River have been made, it remains highly polluted, and it is uncertain whether it can ever be fully restored. The ongoing pollution from industrial waste, untreated sewage, and religious activities poses significant challenges to any potential restoration efforts.