The decaying rivers

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If river pollution continues, people may have to depend on expensive bottled water

The noted American poet, Laura Gilpin had once stated, “A river seems a magic thing; A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.” Rivers all over the world have been the lifeline of human civilisations since time immemorial. In fact, in India, the rivers have been given the status of mother; people in North India calling Ganga River as ‘Ganga Maiyya’, while in Maharashtra, Krishna River being addressed as ‘Krishna Mai’. However, over the years, the respect for rivers has diminished and they are being polluted through various means from industrial effluent and raw sewage to cleaning of vehicles and washing cattle. It’s a very sad scenario that people have forgotten the significance of rivers and the importance of water in human life.

The recent ghastly pollution observed in two of the important rivers in Maharashtra namely the sacred Indrayani River in Alandi and the Pavana River, shows the utter degradation in the relationship that human race once had with the nature. Indrayani is revered as a holy river and associated with religious figures such as Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar. Therefore, the pollution of this river signifies spiritual pollution brought about by the material world. Pavana, on the other hand originates from the Western Ghats and flows to meet Mula River in Pune city. The water of Mula River is dammed by Mulshi Dam and used for irrigation as well as drinking purpose. Therefore the pollution of Pavana River will soon have serious consequences on the Mula River and the use of its water.

The steady rise in the pollution of these two rivers is a testimony to the inaction on the part of authorities and human negligence, as despite stern warnings from the Bombay High Court as well as explicit instructions from the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde to divisional commissioners and district collectors, these waters remain heavily polluted. In fact, the surface of the waters now resembles glacier due to the release of toxic chemicals. This in turn has led to foamy contamination, posing a threat to the people residing on the banks of these rivers. This pollution is mainly caused by the industries, right from major factories to small industrial units, which release million of litres of untreated effluent into the rivers. One fails to understand how in spite of the directions of the highest authorities as well as cries of the citizens and environmental activists, both the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board have failed to initiate strict action against those responsible for this severe water pollution.

The two rivers in the country, which had hit the headlines in the past due to their pollution, were the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Ganga, which was severely polluted with human waste and industrial contaminants, provides water to about 40 per cent of country’s population across 11 states. Finally, the Namami Ganga project was announced by the Narendra Modi government in the June 2014 budget, for effective abatement of pollution, and conservation as well as rejuvenation of the Ganga. The polluted Yamuna River flowing next to the Taj Mahal, on the other hand, had been the cause of algae proliferation and various other insects like mosquitoes. The green droppings of these mosquitoes and the coloration due to algae had even contributed to the brown colouring of the marble of this monument. According to experts, wastewater from unauthorised colonies and slum clusters, and high level of phosphates in the Yamuna from untreated effluents like sewage, form the main reason for pollution of this river, including frothing.

Closer home, Mandovi River and Sal River are suffering the same fate. A recent inspection report of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had found that the offshore casinos operating in the Mandovi have failed to comply with pollution-checking measures stipulated in the consent-to-operate given under the air and water acts thereby causing water pollution in the river. The Sal River in South Goa has also been polluted due to the release of raw sewage and dumping of waste. If the rivers continue to fall victim to man’s indifference towards the nature, the day would not be far away when people would have to depend on expensive bottled water.