Decrease in Polluted Rivers: CPCB Report

Context

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently released its 2023 report on river pollution in India, highlighting a marginal but significant reduction in the number of polluted river stretches. This report is based on water quality data collected in 2022 and 2023 from over 2,116 locations across 271 rivers in 32 states and Union Territories. The findings indicate progress in river rejuvenation efforts while underscoring ongoing challenges in combating pollution.

Criteria for Identifying Polluted River Stretches

A river stretch is classified as polluted if two or more consecutive locations on the river have a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) level exceeding 3 mg/L. BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in decomposing organic matter; higher BOD indicates more pollution and less oxygen available for aquatic life. The CPCB categorizes polluted stretches into five priority classes based on BOD levels, with Priority I being the most polluted (BOD > 30 mg/L) and Priority V the least polluted (BOD 3.1–6 mg/L).

Current Status of Polluted River Stretches

According to the 2023 CPCB report:

• The number of polluted river stretches (PRS) has decreased from 311 in 2022 to 296 in 2023.
• These 296 stretches are spread across 271 rivers, indicating slight improvement in river water quality across the country.
• Maharashtra continues to have the highest number of polluted stretches (54), followed by Kerala (31), Madhya Pradesh (18), Manipur (18), and Karnataka (14).
• The number of Priority I stretches, which require urgent remediation, declined from 46 in 2022 to 37 in 2023.

Factors Contributing to River Pollution

The major causes of river pollution in India as identified by the CPCB report include:

• Untreated sewage discharge: Over 72,000 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage is generated, of which only about 30% is treated before release into water bodies.
• Industrial effluents: Chemicals and toxic waste from textile, chemical, and other industries contaminate rivers.
• Agricultural runoff: Fertilizers, pesticides, and other agrochemicals enter rivers during monsoons.
• Encroachments and sand mining: These disturb river ecosystems and floodplains, accelerating degradation.

Impact of Polluted Rivers

Pollution affects the ecosystem and human health significantly:

• Decline in aquatic biodiversity and disruption of ecological balance.
• Unsafe water for bathing and drinking, leading to a rise in waterborne diseases.
• Economic losses in fisheries and agriculture dependent on healthy rivers.
• Social unrest and protests demanding the cleanup of iconic rivers such as Yamuna and Ganga.

Government Initiatives

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2018 mandated states to prepare river rejuvenation action plans. In response, river rejuvenation committees have been formed to focus on key measures like:
  • • Catchment and basin management.
    • Floodplain protection.
    • Sewage treatment infrastructure enhancement.

Challenges

• Swage treatment plants (STPs) are often under-capacity or non-functional.
• Coordination failures between central, state, and local agencies limit accountability.
• Insufficient funding and lack of robust monitoring hamper progress.
• Increasing urbanization and population pressures continue to generate pollution faster than clean-up.

Conclusion

The CPCB’s 2023 report reflects a marginal but encouraging decline in polluted river stretches across India. However, with still nearly 300 polluted stretches and ongoing challenges in implementation and monitoring, steady and sustained efforts remain critical. Effective river management involving infrastructure development, public awareness, and multi-stakeholder coordination is necessary to ensure long-term restoration of India’s vital river ecosystems.

Source: The Indian Express

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the reasons behind the persistent pollution of rivers in India despite government initiatives. Analyze the significance of the recent marginal reduction in polluted river stretches as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). What further measures should be taken to achieve sustainable river rejuvenation?

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