Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard. (2024, 10 Marks)

Paper	GS Paper 3
Word Limit	150 words
Syllabus Topic	Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Model Answer

Industries such as tanneries, chemicals, textiles and distilleries release untreated effluents into rivers. Examples include tanneries along the Ganga at Kanpur and toxic foam in the Yamuna at Delhi.

Mitigation Measures

• Effluent Treatment Plants in large units; Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for small units.
• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD): treat and reuse all water.
• Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for highly polluting industries.
• Cleaner technology, e.g. chrome recovery in tanneries.
• Strict use of the polluter pays principle, upheld in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum (1996).

Government Initiatives

• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Namami Gange (2014) and the National River Conservation Plan.
• Orders of the National Green Tribunal to close or penalise polluting units.

Conclusion

Strong monitoring, public reporting and industry responsibility can make rivers clean again, in line with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Related PYQs

• What is oil pollution? What are its impact on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? (2023)
• Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. (2017)

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