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For the Yamuna to Flow

Why in News?

The Yamuna River, which serves as the primary water source for Delhi, has become a focal point of political controversy ahead of the Delhi elections. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused Haryana of polluting the water supplied to Delhi, leading to legal disputes and intervention from the Election Commission. However, the issue of Yamuna’s pollution extends far beyond political accusations. The river faces three major challenges—drinking water safety, pollution, and environmental flow—necessitating long-term cooperation among states rather than short-term political disputes.

Introduction

The Yamuna River is crucial to the daily lives of millions in Delhi, serving as a primary source of drinking water. However, persistent pollution, inadequate water flow, and inter-state disputes have severely impacted its quality. The problem is not new, but it has gained renewed attention as elections approach. Addressing the crisis requires a scientific and administrative approach rather than political blame games. This article analyzes the critical issues concerning the Yamuna—its drinking water supply, pollution levels, and environmental sustainability—while emphasizing the need for cooperative governance among states.

Point-Wise Summary

  1. The Yamuna as a Drinking Water Source
  • Delhi relies on water released from Haryana for its drinking water needs.
  • The raw water from Haryana reaches Delhi through the Wazirabad Barrage.
  • When Haryana reduces water discharge, it leads to acute shortages in Delhi.
  • Contaminated water from Haryana’s Hathnikund Barrage exacerbates water quality problems.
  • Water shortages in affected Delhi areas, including Wazirabad, Okhla, and Chandrawal, often lead to severe crises and shutdowns of water treatment plants.
  • The supply of clean water to Delhi remains uncertain, with the city frequently experiencing drinking water crises due to reduced availability.
  1. Pollution Concerns in the Yamuna
  • The Yamuna is heavily polluted due to multiple sources of contamination:
    • Sewage and Industrial Effluents: Unregulated discharge from licensed and unlicensed industries contributes significantly to pollution.
    • Solid Waste Dumping: Lack of proper waste disposal systems exacerbates contamination.
    • Stormwater Drain Overflow: Untreated water from stormwater drains flows into the river, carrying pollutants.
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) (2018-2022) formed the Yamuna Monitoring Committee (YMC) to track pollution levels.
  • The NGT identified 16 key stakeholders responsible for pollution, including:
    • Delhi Jal Board
    • Delhi Development Authority
    • State governments of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
  • Despite recommendations from the YMC, necessary corrective actions have not been taken.
  • Key polluting drains include the Najafgarh, Supplementary, and Shahdara drains, which discharge untreated sewage into the Yamuna.
  • Commitments made by the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to curb pollution remain largely unfulfilled.
  1. Environmental Flow and River Health
  • Environmental flow refers to the minimum amount of water required to maintain the ecological balance of a river.
  • The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, highlighted that excessive water withdrawals upstream reduce the Yamuna’s flow, worsening pollution and harming aquatic life.
  • The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) recommended releasing controlled amounts of water from barrages during dry seasons to maintain ecological balance.
  • The YMC noted that Delhi’s river stretch frequently experiences extremely low flow, worsening contamination issues.
  • The lack of fresh water flow prevents dilution of pollutants, leading to stagnation and high toxicity levels.

Key Terms and Their Explanation

  1. Wazirabad Barrage: A major structure in Delhi that regulates the flow of water received from Haryana for drinking water supply.
  2. Hathnikund Barrage: A barrage in Haryana controlling the flow of the Yamuna, affecting water supply downstream to Delhi.
  3. National Green Tribunal (NGT): A statutory body responsible for handling environmental disputes and enforcing environmental laws in India.
  4. Yamuna Monitoring Committee (YMC): A special committee appointed by the NGT to oversee pollution control measures for the Yamuna.
  5. Environmental Flow: The minimum water level required in a river to support its ecosystem and prevent excessive pollution concentration.
  6. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): A government initiative under the Ministry of Jal Shakti focusing on restoring and maintaining river health.
  7. National Institute of Hydrology (NIH): A research organization that provides scientific analysis and recommendations on water management.

Impact and Implications

  1. Health and Safety Risks for Delhi Residents
  • Contaminated drinking water poses serious health hazards, including waterborne diseases.
  • Reduced water supply forces people to rely on unsafe alternatives, increasing health risks.
  • Continuous exposure to polluted water sources can lead to long-term public health crises.
  1. Governance and Legal Challenges
  • The lack of coordination between states (Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh) hampers effective water management.
  • Despite multiple rulings from the NGT and Supreme Court, pollution control measures remain poorly enforced.
  • Political blame games distract from long-term solutions, delaying policy implementation.
  1. Ecological Consequences
  • Reduced water flow disrupts aquatic ecosystems, endangering fish and other marine life.
  • High pollution levels threaten biodiversity and degrade the natural balance of the river.
  • Increased toxicity levels make river restoration efforts more challenging and costly.
  1. Economic and Social Impact
  • Frequent water crises disrupt daily life, affecting schools, businesses, and hospitals.
  • The burden of finding clean water disproportionately affects low-income communities.
  • Industrial pollution, if left unchecked, can lead to legal actions and economic losses for industries violating environmental norms.

The Way Forward: A Call for Consensus

  1. Inter-State Cooperation on Water Sharing
    • Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh must create a joint water management framework.
    • A permanent inter-state body should be established for water regulation and dispute resolution.
  2. Strengthening Pollution Control Measures
    • Industries must be held accountable for untreated effluent discharge.
    • Strict enforcement of environmental regulations is essential.
    • Municipal bodies should upgrade sewage treatment plants to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Yamuna.
  3. Ensuring Minimum Environmental Flow
    • Controlled water releases from upstream barrages should be mandated.
    • Scientific recommendations from NIH and NMCG should be implemented to maintain ecological balance.
  4. Public Awareness and Citizen Participation
    • Mass awareness campaigns can promote responsible waste disposal and reduce pollution.
    • Citizens should be encouraged to hold authorities accountable for water quality management.

Conclusion

The Yamuna crisis is not just an election issue but a long-term challenge that demands cooperative governance and scientific solutions. Political blame games will not solve Delhi’s water crisis—only sustained efforts from all stakeholders can ensure a cleaner and healthier Yamuna. Immediate action is required to regulate pollution, maintain adequate water flow, and improve inter-state coordination. As a lifeline for millions, the Yamuna’s revival must be a shared responsibility, prioritizing ecological health over political disputes.

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ISRO successfully conducts its SpaDEX (Space Docking Experiment)

ISRO successfully conducts its SpaDEX (Space Docking Experiment)

The number of attempts remaining is 2

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1. How does ISRO's space docking contribute to future human space exploration?

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2. What is the expected launch year for the Bharatiya Antarix Station's first robotic module?

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3. What system enables autonomous rendezvous and docking in space?

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4. What is the maximum distance achieved during the controlled approach of the two satellites in ISRO's experiment?

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5. Which country has launched a 40,000-ton naval ship in record time, demonstrating advanced manufacturing?

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6. What term describes the sharing of electrical power between two docked satellites?

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7. Which Indian lunar mission will involve docking capability for bringing back lunar samples?

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8. Which space docking capability is required for constructing the Bharatiya Antarix Station?

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9. What altitude were the satellites maintained at during ISRO's docking experiment?

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10. How many kilograms did each satellite used in ISRO's docking experiment weigh?

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11. What is the primary purpose of the docking capability for India's future lunar missions?

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12. Which two satellites were used by ISRO to demonstrate space docking?

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13. What year did NASA first demonstrate space docking through the Gemini VIII mission?

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14. Which of the following nations first demonstrated autonomous space docking?

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15. Why is docking capability critical for space exploration?

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16. What does 'low impact docking' signify in ISRO's context?

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17. What is the name of the mission through which ISRO achieved space docking?

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18. India became the ____ country to demonstrate space docking after the US, USSR, and China.

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19. What is 'space docking' in space exploration?

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20. Which Indian organization recently achieved 'space docking'?

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