Yamuna pollution rising: CPCB

NEW DELHI: With World Environment Day being celebrated on Thursday, the Yamuna river projects a grim picture of increasing pollution levels.

"The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) load, an important indicator of pollution levels, has increased by 13 per cent over the last year," Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has said in its latest report. This rise might be because of increase in generation of BOD load in the city or decrease in treatment efficiency of sewage treatment plants (STPs).

"The 22-km stretch which runs through the Capital contributes 77 per cent of the total pollution recorded from the 1768-km-long river," the CPCB said.

As many as 18 drains in the national Capital flowing into the Yamuna contributed to a total of 265 tonnes/day BOD load in 2007 while canals in Agra and Gurgaon added around 50 tonnes.

Of these 18 drains, five drains ��� Najafgarh, Shahdara, Sarita Vihar Bridge, Sen Nursing Home and Power House contributed 83 per cent of total load, the report said.

"Secondly Yamuna does not have adequate water for sewage dilution. Therefore, the oxygen demand and bacterial pollution are increasing day by day. This is mainly responsible for water borne diseases as well degradation of water. Rampant groundwater extraction is another reason for the present condition," CPCB scientist R C Trivedi said.