There is a lack of significant improvement in the quality of river water in India despite multiple efforts by different stakeholders. Elaborate with examples.

According to CPCB's latest report, 351 miles stretches were identified on 323 rivers. Based on results of biochemical oxygen demand BOD which leads to notification of organic pollution. Main cause of water pollution is release of untreated sewage water directly into rivers. This is a result of rapid growing urbanisation, industrialisation, lack of monitoring, lack of adherence to guidelines for use of fertilizers in agriculture. Various schemes launched by Government of India are as follows: 1) Namami Gange Programme: A central sector scheme which aims to prevent pollution, conservation of river Ganga. 2) National Rivers Conservation Programme: Centrally sponsored scheme - to reduce pollution load in rivers through implementation of various pollution abatement works. 3) Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act -1974: This act led to setting up of central pollution control board at national level & State Pollution Control boards at states.

Recent amendments have devastated many violating is set penalties at ₹10,000 - ₹15 lakh. Penalties imposed on head of department if any violation of guidelines. 4) National Water Monitoring Programme: Under this programs → continuous assessment of water quality, setting up of monitoring network across various locations, spread across 28 APTS & 9 UTE. 5) National Water Policy 2012: Conservation of water bodies by ensuring industrial effluents, residues of fertilizers do not reach the rivers. Despite these measures, there is lack of significant improvement in the water quality of rivers. This can be attributed to following reasons: 1) Lack of funding: Various schemes, the funds allocated got released very late or are not used efficiently. 2) Lack of monitoring: Lack of technology, infrastructure, dedicated institution for monitoring water quality at various levels (ensure the family information regarding quality of water). 3) Low capacity: The current capacity of sewage treatment plants

is inadequate to tackle the enormous sewage generated in various metropolitan cities. Only about 40% of water/sewage is treated & rest is released untreated, due to capacity & led in released untreated, due to lack of sewage treatment plants. 4) Quality of sewage treatment plant: Ensuring that the quality of water released past treatment is suitable to be released. 5) Agricultural runoffs: Excessive use of fertilizers in water bodies without acknowledging the capacity of soil has led to soil degradation of justices seen off to rivers leads to eutrophication harming the aquatic organism. 6) Riverside pollution: especially at popular religious places - release of garbage into rivers has led to pollution. In India's scenario, one of the water-stressed country largest agrarian population, gives are the life line of the country. Thus ensuring quality of water in the river is of utmost importance. Amendment in water quality promoting WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) outreach the heights repeated hearing would encourage the investment.

— Sayali Bhika Pagar · AIR 87