Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Road-Map for Pollution free Rivers

The Central Pollution Control Board in association with State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees have established a network of 1085 Water Quality Monitoring Stations along various river stretches. Water quality data in respect of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) has exceeded the desired water quality criteria (< 3 mg/per litre) in 150 river stretches covering 121 rivers. The major cause of rising organic pollution, particularly BOD, in these rivers is due to discharge of untreated and partially treated domestic effluents by various municipalities across the country.

Giving further details in Rajya Sabha today in response to a question Minister of State (I/C) for Environment and Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan stated that conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments. This Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in pollution abatement in identified river stretches through the centrally sponsored National River Conservation Plan, which presently covers 40 rivers in 190 towns spread over 20 states. Pollution abatement schemes implemented under the Plan include interception, diversion and treatment of sewage; low cost sanitation works on river banks; electric/improved wood crematoria etc.

No comments: