AAP: Yamuna pollution returns post Chhath Puja, Bihar election
AAP alleges Yamuna pollution worsened after Chhath Puja and Bihar elections.
Photo by Expressive Capture
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged that pollution levels in the Yamuna River have risen again after Chhath Puja, claiming that the extra water released to dilute pollutants has been diverted away. AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the BJP government at the Centre and in Haryana stopped irrigation water for farmers and diverted the entire flow into the Yamuna to dilute industrial pollution and sewage waste.
He claimed this was done to make the Yamuna appear clean for one week. The BJP has retorted, stating that Yamuna's water quality improved in December 2025 compared to the previous year.
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper III: Environment and Ecology - Pollution and its impact
GS Paper II: Governance - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on environmental governance and pollution control
Visual Insights
Yamuna River Basin: Key Locations and Pollution Concerns
Map highlighting the Yamuna River basin, including Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, with markers indicating potential pollution sources and areas affected by water diversion.
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More Information
Background
The Yamuna River's pollution is a long-standing issue, with its roots tracing back to rapid industrialization and urbanization, particularly in the Delhi metropolitan area. Historically, the river served as a vital source of water for agriculture and drinking, but the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents has severely degraded its water quality. The construction of barrages and dams upstream has further reduced the river's flow, exacerbating the pollution problem.
Efforts to clean the Yamuna have been ongoing for decades, including the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) launched in 1993, which aimed to reduce pollution levels through sewage treatment and other measures. However, these efforts have faced challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, poor maintenance, and a lack of coordination among various stakeholders.
Latest Developments
Recent developments include increased scrutiny by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and public interest litigations (PILs) demanding stricter enforcement of environmental regulations. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been working on upgrading sewage treatment plants (STPs) and increasing their capacity to treat wastewater. There's also been a focus on promoting decentralized wastewater treatment systems and encouraging industries to adopt cleaner production technologies.
The Namami Gange program, while primarily focused on the Ganga, also includes components aimed at reducing pollution in its tributaries, including the Yamuna. Future outlook involves greater emphasis on integrated river basin management, involving all stakeholders in the planning and implementation of pollution control measures. The use of artificial intelligence and data analytics for monitoring water quality and identifying pollution hotspots is also gaining traction.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP): 1. It was launched in 1993 with the primary objective of reducing pollution levels in the Yamuna River. 2. The YAP focuses exclusively on sewage treatment and does not address industrial effluents. 3. The plan is funded and implemented solely by the central government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct as YAP was launched to reduce pollution. Statement 2 is incorrect as YAP addresses both sewage and industrial effluents. Statement 3 is incorrect as YAP is a collaborative effort between central and state governments.
2. In the context of river pollution, what is Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)?
- A.The amount of oxygen produced by aquatic plants in a river.
- B.The amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in a water sample.
- C.The amount of dissolved oxygen present in a river.
- D.The amount of chemical pollutants present in a river.
Show Answer
Answer: B
BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in a water sample. Higher BOD indicates higher levels of pollution.
3. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the National Green Tribunal (NGT)?
- A.The NGT was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act.
- B.The NGT is mandated to dispose of cases within 6 months.
- C.The NGT has jurisdiction over all environmental laws in India.
- D.The NGT can only hear cases related to violations of environmental laws and cannot suo moto take up cases.
Show Answer
Answer: D
The NGT can suo moto take up cases related to environmental issues. It is not restricted to hearing only cases related to violations.
4. Assertion (A): Diversion of irrigation water to dilute pollutants in the Yamuna River can have negative consequences. Reason (R): Reduced water availability for agriculture can impact crop yields and livelihoods of farmers. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why diverting irrigation water can have negative consequences.
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