“Ways to resurrect Yamuna and sustain the viability of such measures in future”

The Yamuna is the second-largest tributary river of the Ganga and the longest tributary in India. It crosses several states: Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, passing by Uttarakhand and later Delhi. 

In 1909, the waters of the Yamuna were distinguishable as clear blue, when compared to the silt-laden yellow of the Ganges. However, due to high-density population growth and fast industrialisation, Yamuna has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The Yamuna is particularly polluted downstream of New Delhi, the capital of India, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. A 2016 study shows that there is 100% urban metabolism of River Yamuna as it passes through the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. 

A Hindu devotee offers prayers after a dip in the Yamuna river, surrounded by industrial effluent.

Even though the government has come up with a number of programmes, none of them has proved to be extremely successful. What remains is for the public to individually contribute as well as contribute collectively to save and resurrect the Yamuna. But at the heart of the issue, the question remains how, how does one really contribute? 

Therefore, there is a dire need to reconstruct and save the Yamuna from this harm.

On a community level, we can :

• Can report ground results and activities on a regular basis to help authorities keep check on the effluent disposal by the industries. 

• Train and educate people about ensuring proper maintenance of the sewage system and waste disposal methods.

• Create a waste management system that can help the community make a livelihood for themselves in the form of recycling and upcycling the wastes. 

• Apply rainwater harvesting to meet water requirements throughout the year that is uncontaminated for domestic and other needs. 

• The community can use more environmentally friendly idols alternatives that use organic materials.

• Develop more public toilets and crematoria to reduce the sewage waste into the river.

• Educational programs to increase awareness encouraging people to use biodegradable paints for painting idols and stop dumping wastes in the rivers is needed. 

• Stringent implementation of regulation for industries and hospitals not to dump waste in the river 

• Upgradation of existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) that don’t comply with standards.

• Integration of water management by linking the private sector, local communities and NGOs to ensure an effective and efficient allocation and use of water for all. 

• New strategies for the existing water treatment such as automated river quality monitoring.

• Develop parks with fountains or grassy lands, pools, plantations, etc., along the riverbanks to provide opportunities for water to undergo artificial aeration that leads to self-purification of the river. 

• Full and participatory environmental impact assessments should be ensured for all projects