Maha tops India... in most polluted river stretches
   Date :28-Jan-2023

polluted river stretches 
 
 
 
By Kaushik Bhattacharya
Maharashtra, which is the richest State and second most polluted State in India, has the highest 55 numbers of polluted river stretches in the country, reveals a report issued by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently.
A study titled “Polluted River Stretches for Restoration of Water Quality- 2022”, is a periodic assessment of water quality of rivers in the country which is reflected in exceedances observed with respect to criteria parameter, Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and identification of polluted river stretches/locations where water quality is required to be restored with distinctive interventions and time-targeted action plans. According to the report, Kanhan (Parseoni to Kuhi stretch), Kolar along Waregaon), Morna along Akola) and Purna (Asegaon to Akola) are the most polluted river stretches in Vidarbha region in the State. The present assessment is based on the river water quality data of the years 2019 and 2021 excluding monitored data of year 2020 being the pandemic year. In the year 2022, 46% of rivers monitored in the country (279 out of 603) were identified as polluted.
As per the latest assessment, out of 1,920 locations on rivers monitored during 2019 and 2021, as many as 1,103 locations (57%) were observed complying with BOD criteria of less than 3.0 mg/L, notified for Outdoor bathing.
Parseoni to Kuhi stretch on Kanhan river has been categorised into Priority Class II which has BOD 22.0 mg/L. Whereas, Morna river near Akola has been categorised into Priority Class-III, which has BOD 10.4 mg/L. Purna river near Asegaon to Akola stretch has been categorised into Priority Class-IV which has BOD 6.8 mg/L, and Kolar river near Waregaon stretch has been categorised into Priority Class-V, which has BOD 4.8 mg/L.
According to the study, Maharashtra has four polluted river stretches in Priority Class-I, five polluted river stretches in Priority Class-II, 18 polluted river stretches in Priority Class-III, 17 polluted river stretches in Priority Class-IV, and 11 polluted river stretches in Priority Class V.
Water Quality of 56 rivers was monitored in Maharashtra at 156 locations during the year 2019 and 2021, out of which, 147 locations on 55 rivers were found ‘non-complying’ to the prescribed Water Quality Criteria with respect to BOD. The study revealed, Maharashtra still has the highest number of polluted river stretches in the country that is 55 identified in the year 2022. In Year 2018, 53 polluted river stretches were identified. The report said, “Ecological flow shall be made mandatory in all stretches and to be ensured by respective State Authorities.”
It also stated, “State Government shall finalise the list of prohibited activities and restricted activities including intensive surveillance for effective enforcement for needed compliance by various point and non-point sources.”