Cleaning our Rivers

• With 14 major river systems and more than 600 rivers, almost 80% of the subcontinent’s population is dependent on these resources for their sustenance.
• According to a 2022 report by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there are about 311 Polluted River Stretches (PRS – stretches in rivers where BOD>3mg/L) in 279 rivers (out of 603 rivers assessed).
• There are about 1,631 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a total capacity of 36,668 MLD but only 20,236 MLD of installed capacity is actually utilised, while the rest is directly discharged into the rivers.
• There are about 49 PRS in the Ganga basin, one of the most polluted basins in India.

Measures taken for Conservation of Rivers

Constitutional and Legal Provisions

• Article 262- It gives the power to the Union to establish and adjudicate the inter-state water disputes prevailing in the country.
• Right to Clean Water- It is interpreted by judiciary as a Fundamental Right under Article 21.
• Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974- It was enacted to prevent water pollution and cater to the maintenance of water bodies and carry out activities to promote restoration of water.
• It established two institutions to control water pollution
  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) - It has implemented several charters aimed at water recycling and pollution prevention for industrial sectors such as textile, pulp and paper, sugar, etc.
  • State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
• Indian Penal Code- Section 277 of IPC states that fouling of a public reservoir or a public spring voluntarily shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment of 3 months or with a fine of 500 rupees or both.
• Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Cess Act, 2003- It was enacted to levy and collect a cess on water consumed by certain types of industrial activities.
• River Boards Act, 1956- An Act to provide for the establishment of River Boards for the regulation and development of inter- State rivers and river valleys.

Schemes Introduced

• National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched din 1995 for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country, excluding those in Ganga basin.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)- Under the initiative of Namami Gange programme being implemented by NMCG, Integrated River Basin Management (IBRM) approach is being followed.
• The mission also includes promotion of sustainable agriculture, river hazard management, basin protection against disasters, etc.
• Amrit Sarovar Mission- It was launched in 2022 for developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country.
• Mission Water Conservation- It was launched to develop actionable framework for gainful utilization of funds.
• National Water Mission- It is a component under National Action Plan for Climate Change which ensure integrated water resource management helping to conserve water, minimize wastage and ensure more equitable distribution both across and within states.