Water pollution control measures in India are of critical importance due to the country’s vast river systems, which serve as lifelines for millions of people. With the Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and many other rivers flowing through its landscape, India’s water resources are indispensable for agriculture, industry, and daily living. However, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural activities have led to significant contamination of these water bodies, posing severe threats to public health and the environment. To combat this issue, the Indian government has implemented various measures aimed at controlling water pollution and restoring the health of its rivers. These measures encompass regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, public awareness campaigns, and community participation initiatives, all geared towards safeguarding India’s precious water resources for current and future generations.
- Hot water must undergo cooling before its release from power plants.
- Prohibiting domestic cleaning activities in tanks, streams, and rivers that serve as sources of drinking water is essential.
- The excessive use of fertilizers and insecticides should be avoided.
- Organic farming and the efficient utilization of animal waste are recommended alternatives to chemical fertilizers.
- Water hyacinth, an aquatic weed and invasive plant, can purify water by eliminating harmful compounds and heavy metals.
- Bregoli, a byproduct resembling sawdust from the paper industry, along with oil zappers and microorganisms, can be employed for cleaning oil spills in water.
- Planting eucalyptus trees around sewage ponds has been proposed as they rapidly absorb excess wastewater and release pure water vapor into the atmosphere.
MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
- State governments should formulate comprehensive action plans for sewage management and the restoration of water quality in aquatic resources.
- This includes the installation of online effluent monitoring systems to directly oversee discharges into rivers and water bodies.
- Establishing a robust monitoring network to assess water quality is crucial, with regulatory bodies like SPCBs and PCCs playing an active role in enforcing effluent standards.
- Additionally, the installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants for clusters of Small Scale Industrial Units is recommended, along with directives for implementing Zero Liquid Discharge.
- Industries fall under the purview of environmental protection acts, and specific sections of legislation mandate compliance.
- Furthermore, the implementation of national conservation plans like the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and the National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP), integrated into the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), encompasses various activities such as wastewater interception, diversion, treatment, pollution abatement, and overall lake management.
- Recognizing the significance of water purity, the Indian government enacted the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, of 1974.
- Subsequent initiatives, such as the Ganga Action Plan in 1985, aimed to rescue the Ganga River.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) introduced the concept of “approved best use” based on parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, total coliform, free ammonia, and electrical conductivity to categorize water bodies.
- This classification aids in setting water quality goals and guides restoration programs across the country.
- The efforts culminated in significant plans like the Ganga Action Plan and the National River Action Plan.
- To address pollution, sewage water, and industrial effluents undergo treatment before discharge.
- The collaboration between Indian Railways and DRDO resulted in bio-toilets installed beneath train lavatories, preventing direct human waste release and subsequent track corrosion.
- The innovative bio-toilets convert human waste into non-corrosive neutral water using specific bacteria.
FAQs – Water Pollution Control Measures in India
1-Why should hot water from power plants undergo cooling before release?
Answer: Cooling hot water is essential to prevent adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems, as elevated temperatures can harm aquatic life. Cooling mitigates these impacts, promoting environmental sustainability.
2-Why is domestic cleaning prohibited in water sources like tanks, streams, and rivers used for drinking water?
Answer: Prohibiting domestic cleaning is crucial to prevent the introduction of pollutants into water sources. Cleaning activities may release harmful chemicals, compromising the quality of drinking water and posing risks to public health.
3-How can the excessive use of fertilizers and insecticides be avoided?
Answer: Prudent measures include optimizing the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, employing nitrogen testing and modeling for precise application, and promoting organic farming as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.
4-How does water hyacinth contribute to water purification?
Answer: Water hyacinth, as an aquatic weed, aids in water purification by removing specific toxic materials and heavy metals. Its natural capacity to absorb pollutants makes it valuable in maintaining water quality.
5-What methods are employed to clean water in the event of oil spills?
Answer: Bregoli, a byproduct from the paper industry, along with oil zappers and microorganisms, can be used to clean water during oil spills. These substances facilitate the breakdown and removal of oil pollutants.
6-Why are eucalyptus trees suggested around sewage ponds?
Answer: Eucalyptus trees are proposed for planting around sewage ponds as they rapidly absorb excess wastewater and release pure water vapor into the atmosphere, aiding in wastewater management.
7-Why should state governments formulate comprehensive action plans for sewage management and water quality restoration?
Answer: State governments play a crucial role in sewage management and water quality restoration by implementing plans that include online effluent monitoring systems, Common Effluent Treatment Plants, and directives for Zero Liquid Discharge.
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