India’s growing population and urbanization have led to a toxic water body, with around 70% of surface water in the country unfit for drinking. A recent report by the government’s policy think tank, NITI Aayog, highlights high to extreme water stress among Indians. The country’s dependence on an increasingly erratic monsoon for its water supply also contributes to the issue. Around 80 per cent of the water supplied to households in Delhi ends up as wastewater, some of which remains untreated, polluting the city’s waterways and threatening health.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is working to address the water and sanitation crisis at the national level, with the World Bank supporting India’s efforts in the water sector through the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Out of India’s 1.4 billion people, 35 million lack access to safe water and 678 million lack access to a safe toilet. Groundwater levels are falling as farmers struggle to maintain their water supply.
India is one of the most water-challenged countries in the world, with its deepest aquifers and largest rivers serving as dumping grounds for sewage, solid and liquid wastes. To combat water pollution, India has initiated initiatives to recycle ocean plastic into road materials. Expanding populations, intensive agriculture, climate change, water pollution, and depleting natural water resources are the main drivers of water scarcity. Individuals can take control of water quality assessment through DIY tests, such as checking pH levels, assessing turbidity, and conducting tests. Supporting water security by using treated wastewater for non-potable purposes like toilet flushing, car washing, construction, agriculture, and other non-potable uses is also crucial.
📹 The Yamuna, India’s most polluted river
Stretching 855 miles (1375km) across the north of the country, at its source in the Himalayas its water is crystal clear. However …
How can we solve pollution in India?
The article discusses 10 ways to reduce air pollution, including using public transport, turning off lights when not in use, recycling and reusing, avoiding plastic bags, reducing forest fires and smoking, using fans instead of air conditioners, using chimney filters, and avoiding crackers. Public transport is a cost-effective alternative to driving, as it reduces gas and energy consumption, reduces traffic congestion, and is a pocket-friendly option.
Additionally, turning off lights when not in use can help reduce air pollution by reducing electricity consumption. Energy-saving fluorescent lights can also help the environment by reducing the energy consumption of lights. Overall, these strategies can help reduce air pollution and promote a healthier environment.
How can India save water?
Rainwater harvesting at home has been a significant step in conserving water. It allows for the use of rainwater for non-essential tasks, freeing up freshwater for essential needs. Reusing used water from laundry and washing dishes can also help conserve water effectively. Mindful water usage, such as turning off taps and using buckets instead of hose pipes, can make a significant difference.
Participating in local water conservation projects builds a culture of responsibility towards resources. Knowledge sharing about water conservation can inspire more individuals to join the movement. Implementing rainwater harvesting systems, supporting water management projects, volunteering with water conservation organizations, and engaging in online communities can also contribute to water conservation.
By taking small steps and collaborating with existing initiatives, we can create a ripple effect of positive change in water conservation. By sharing our knowledge and inspiring others to join the movement, we can make a real difference in a sustainable future. By sharing our experiences and inspiring others, we can make a significant impact on a sustainable future.
Why is the water quality in India so bad?
India’s rivers are heavily polluted due to industrial pollution and waste, as well as human activities such as bathing and washing clothes. The country’s reliance on seasonal rains, which can be sporadic or over abundant, contributes to health issues such as drought and flooding, leading to crop failures and farmer suicides. This issue affects both rural citizens and developed urban areas, particularly in areas with high poverty rates.
How to reduce river pollution in India?
The article underscores the necessity of abstaining from the direct discharge of sewage into rivers, curbing the utilization of surplus fertilizers and pesticides, and eschewing the disposal of deceased human and animal corpses. Additionally, the article notes the availability of a scholarship, valued at 100 units, for those who successfully complete the BNAT examination and enroll in BYJUS courses.
How does India purify water?
Water purification is crucial for ensuring the safety and cleanliness of drinking water by eliminating harmful contaminants like bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and heavy metals. Methods like reverse osmosis, ultraviolet disinfection, and activated carbon filtration are used. Regular maintenance and filter replacement ensure optimal performance. Investing in a dependable water purification system provides clean, healthy drinking water, safeguarding well-being and preventing waterborne diseases.
Drinking water is considered safe for consumption within regulated limits, but may contain permissible impurities. Purified water undergoes additional treatment like filtration, disinfection, and advanced techniques like reverse osmosis or distillation to remove impurities and contaminants, providing a higher level of purity. Purified water ensures a cleaner and safer drinking option by reducing or eliminating various substances present in drinking water.
How to solve water crisis in India?
Groundwater recharge systems in rural India empower communities by allowing them to manage their water resources and reduce dependence on monsoons. This helps agriculture become more resilient and less vulnerable to climate variability. Additionally, groundwater recharge prevents land degradation and subsidence, as over-extraction can lead to soil degradation. By promoting recharge, rural areas can maintain the overall health of their land.
How is water managed in India?
The Water Management program collaborates with communities to harvest and store rainwater for direct use and replenish groundwater through infrastructure restoration. It supports the revival of traditional water bodies, construction of water storage infrastructure, and safe wastewater disposal. The program promotes safe drinking water through innovative low-cost, sustainable technologies and WASH behavior. It raises awareness about water conservation and builds local communities’ capacities for better management and long-term sustainability of their water resources.
The program seeks collaboration opportunities for continuous improvement and replication of low-cost water management interventions. It also focuses on water resource assessment, rooftop rainwater harvesting, safe drinking water, WASH, soil conservation, and water-conscious communities.
What are 10 ways to reduce pollution?
Air pollution is a significant issue in our homes and neighborhoods, with small but critical sources such as vehicles, construction equipment, lawn mowers, dry cleaners, backyard fires, and auto-body shops contributing significantly to emissions. To prevent pollution, the MPCA provides education, guidance, and incentives for reducing air pollution. Programs for businesses, cities, nonprofits, and communities address environmental problems, including air quality.
To reduce pollution, drive less, keep cars in good repair, turn off engines, avoid burning garbage, limit backyard fires, plant trees, switch to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment, and use less energy. Additionally, keep fires brief and small, burn only dry wood, and never start campfires during air quality alerts.
How is water polluted in India?
India faces a significant water pollution issue, with untreated sewage being the largest source. Other sources include agricultural runoff and unregulated small-scale industries. Most rivers, lakes, and surface water in India are polluted due to industries, untreated sewage, and solid wastes. Despite India’s average annual precipitation of 4000 billion cubic meters, only 1122 billion cubic meters of water resources are available for utilization due to lack of infrastructure.
This water is unsafe due to pollution degrading water quality. The generation and treatment of domestic waste water in India is a significant problem due to inadequate treatment capacity and inadequate maintenance of existing sewage treatment plants. Most government-owned plants remain closed due to improper design, poor maintenance, lack of reliable electricity supply, absentee employees, and poor management. Uncollected waste accumulates in urban areas, causing unhygienic conditions and releasing pollutants that leach into surface and groundwater.
How to solve water pollution?
Water pollution is a major issue affecting water resources, affecting animals, plants, and the environment. Solutions include wastewater treatment, reducing plastic waste, water conservation, water-efficient toilets, septic tanks, not using toilets as trash cans, stormwater management, and green agriculture. Contaminated water can lead to toxic effects on animals, plants, and the environment. To prevent water pollution, it is crucial to stop it at its source, such as through wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and water conservation.
How to stop water pollution?
It is imperative to refrain from discarding household hazardous waste, including substances such as paint, antifreeze, and motor oil, in the trash. Such materials have the potential to migrate to water sources, thereby causing significant environmental contamination. It is recommended that tissues, dead insects, and other waste be disposed of in a trash receptacle.
📹 Sacred but polluted: River Ganges drowns in a sea of rubbish
The Ganges is one of the world”s most revered rivers in the world, but also one of the dirtiest. This may sound like a paradox but …
I bathed in the Yamuna River in the 90’s, when I came out it felt like bugs were crawling on my skin. Then when I met some Indian tourists in Sydney they couldn’t believe how clean the Sydney Harbour was, “look there’s not one piece of garbage”!! How can a country that believes their river is sacred use it as a toilet. I’m sure they wouldn’t have a dump in a temple!!
I went to university up in Missouri and we had an indian guy that absolutely refused to use the bathroom, and instead opted to do number 2 all over the dormitory’s lawn. He did this for his first 3 weeks at university before they kicked him out. It was even on the local news since it was a very small town. The guy had literally no shame.
I wanna say first this comment is not written out of any malice, but purely brutal honesty. I sat behind a girl from India in Middle School in the U.S. and will NEVER forget how her stench was so bothering that it made classmates physically ill and severely altered the ability for the class to function while NOTHING could be said or done about it without seeming prejudice or unfair towards her beliefs. The one thing I pick up from articles like this is not just the overwhelming carelessness, but the clips of the river with piles of clothing, I’m POSITIVE that it must be the most horrific, vile odor humans will ever know. No rotten food or decaying flesh itself could come close to what that place must smell like, and it’s completely inexcusable from any real world thinking. You can’t be dead set in your beliefs so much yet trash something sacred so often that it affects the health of your people. The selfishness is unbearable to think about.
Having been born in India and visited multiple time since moving. Religion, culture, and hygiene can not co-exist here. They want clean water yet if you told people to not throw the remains of their loved ones they’d be offended, but they still want clean water…. Can you see the struggle? India is in my honest opinion a lost cause. I say this respectfuly, India needs some extremely aggressive change. Amongst others religious use of the water needs to be targeted. This is just my thoughts, I’d really like to hear a solution on how we can resolve this important matter because I really want every Indian to have the right to clean water. And it’s sad to say that not everyone has access to simple things. I also apologize on the religious comment, I am not super religious but want everyone to practice whatever they wish but not if it is at the cost health of innocent people and children. Love from Vancouver.
What gets me angry is they can fund nuclear weapons and maintain a massive army but can’t have enclosed sewers public education or even basic toilets and then of course the complete lack of enforcement of laws regarding the environment down to the everyday man throwing bags of rubbish into the river where do they even start?..
I’m an Indian and it pains me to look at a river that could fertilize uncountable amounts of land, quench millions of thirsts been turned into literal sewage. The condition of yamuna is slap on us, the society, the people who live around it. The river now is much darker, black, acidic and dangerous. Yamuna is a proof of our failures that no amount of excuses and apologies can save
As an Indian from North east part of India I was shocked to see how dark and black and polluted and disgusting the river looked when i travelled to Delhi by train. The rivers here in Northeast flows so beautifully and the water is clear that we can Even see the stones and river bed during winter season. …
I’m not a close minded person or anything, but come on india! You fought for your independence and allow this to happened? Where is the dignity amongst your comnunity, it’s not a problem for those in that area, it’s your whole country. Poor and under corruption. This is sickening to the environment, and I’m 100% positive that aqua species native there are extinct by now. Maybe not bacteria.
Nothing is impossible. We also have that problem in the Philippines. The Pasig River traversing Manila was black and covered by garbage. The esteros flowing to it were also polluted beyond imagination. Now, water lilies are thriving, the water is brown but flowing, plants are growing on banks. The government must do its part. Criminalize those who throw garbage to the river. Involve the locals living along the rivers to implement laws protecting the river make them clean the river with compensation. Educate people on the importance of clean living. Pasig and esteros are not completely rehabilitated and maybe it will take hundred of years before they become crystal clear and fish will be seen from above. What is sure though, it is improving by the day.
Well I’m an Indian. But must say that it’s these people living there are the main reason for this tragedy. It’s a serious problem not only for humans as well as for every living being near to the river. Government and citizens of these areas should’ve to work together in order to giving second chance to the river and themselves too.
Thank you guys for covering this. It’s important to expose how horrible mother nature is being treated here. This isn’t something new, and the Indian government should be ashamed of how they treat this important part of the ecosystem. If they consider the damn river a god, you’d think they’d at least respect it enough to keep it clean.
I just saw a article of a guy who cleaned his town lake and he is going around cleaning up larger lakes etc using organic materials etc. Can they make a town wide campaign to clean the water or help keep it clean? Make it a some sort of great crusade? Make polluting it illegal? Or help people learn how to make inexpensive reusable filters? This is so sad 😞
WOW VERY DANGEROUS SIR 😠😠 BUT SIR MY INDIA IS THE REAL SUPERPOWER 🤗🇮🇳 WE HAVE THE BEST INFRASTRUCTURE AND HIGHSPEED RAIL 🤗🇮🇳 THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗, WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳 INDIA SUPER CLEAN
A coworker of mine went for 7 weeks, he regrets it. He told me that there is not one square meter in India that is clean. He walked into a travel agency to ask where he could throw out his trail mix wrapper and the girl just took his wrapper and threw it into the street. ZERO public health conscience.
They’re wasting time doing pointless things for the sake of publicity. Picking up rubbish on the beach is pointless. You need a lot of people to do that and India doesn’t have the budget for river cleanup. Instead, they could’ve just filtered the drain outlets and scoop up the rubbish that gets trapped at the filter. Saves times, saves money, way more effective and provides regular jobs for the poor. Picking up rubbish on the beach only provides a job whenever the person handling the duty wants to make some publicity stunts.
This is because people aren’t willing to change themselves….they want a clean ground only where they are walking…a bit tough to understand but this is the real problem… Europe was also not a very good place somewhere around 13th century but one plague had changed the whole European mentality forever….:)
That Sanjay Sharma guy is such a joke!! And he’s the head of the clean up Ganges committee?? Ok, wearing all crisp white outfit while ‘cleaning’ 🙄🙄 it’s going to take a lot more from that committee than just picking up trash using the locals. The Government needs to heavily invest in a proper sewage system and filtration system, place sanctions on the factories dumping waste improperly and run a campaign to educated their citizens On how to use trash cans vs throwing everything in that river. Disgusting ‘attempt’
well if you are not lazy enough, then go upto google and extend you “KNOWLEDGE” about why it is sacred and also INDIA IS IMPROVING A LOT & all of you listen up I agree that Ganga is in a bad condition but its not only Indians who have messed up, people from all around the world who come here are also somewhere responsible for this!!!!