Maharashtra has the most number of polluted rivers in India, with 49 of the 315 river stretches identified running through the state, reveals a recent Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report submitted to the Union environment ministry.
The SPCBs evaluated 275 rivers across 29 states through 1,275 monitoring stations on the basis of their biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) – the concentration of oxygen required for sustaining aquatic life – under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme.
The report found that while Maharashtra had 49 polluted river stretches, including Mithi, Godavari, Bhima, Krishna, Ulhas, Tapi, Kundalika, Panchganga, Mula-Mutha, Pelhar, Penganga and Vaitarna, among others , Assam ranked second at 28, Madhya Pradesh third with 21, Gujarat 20, and West Bengal 17.
“Restoration involves the civic authorities; industrial pollution needs to be controlled by SPCBs; and local agencies [hired on contractual basis] have to monitor the intersections leading up to these polluted river stretches and ensure their restoration is done first.” Sudhakar confirmed that Maharashtra has the maximum number of water pollution monitoring stations in the country. “Even though many of the states have sanctioned stations, they are unable to execute water quality monitoring due to lack of manpower and facilities.
However, the MPCB said there’s a reason why the state has topped the list. “Maharashtra has 250 water quality monitoring stations, which is the highest in the country, and that is why the number of polluted stretches is the highest compared to other states,” said YB Sontakke, joint director, water quality, MPCB.
HT had reported that at least 3,000 million litres of untreated sewage and industrial effluents are discharged into Maharashtra’s rivers, lakes and other water bodies daily, based on a report by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.