CPCB REPORT: River pollution decreases but overall scenario stays gloomy

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported a decline in the number of polluted river stretches across the country. Its latest review identifies 296 polluted stretches, down from 351 in 2018–19. However, the concern remains significant as 37 stretches still fall under the ‘severe’ category, demanding immediate attention.

The CPCB based its findings on water quality data from 2022 and 2023, covering 2,116 monitoring locations spread over 271 rivers in 32 states and Union Territories. River stretches are classified as polluted when Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) exceeds 3 mg/L, rendering the water unfit for aquatic life. Contiguous stretches with high BOD are marked as “polluted stretches.”

Across the country, 37 river stretches fall in Priority 1, the highest risk category. These include two each in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, and five in Uttarakhand. Maharashtra, however, tops the list with 54 polluted stretches, the highest among all states.

Pollution levels have worsened in 12 states, including Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The CPCB also pointed out that no assessment could be carried out in 2020 due to the pandemic, creating a gap in monitoring.

In the northern region, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh together account for 22 polluted stretches, with 12 and 10 respectively. Jammu and Kashmir has seven such stretches, while Punjab and Haryana have two each. Notably, stretches of the Ghaggar and Sutlej in Punjab have been placed under Priority 1, reflecting severe pollution. In Haryana, Priority 1 stretches were identified in the Ghaggar and Yamuna.

Himachal & Uttarakhand see new additions

Himachal Pradesh has recorded five new polluted stretches since 2018–19. Rivers such as the Markanda, Sarsa, Ashwani Khad, Beas and Giri were already on the list, with Bald, Swan, Yamuna, Ratta and Kaushalya now added. Among them, the Ratta and Markanda fall under the Priority 1 category.

In Uttarakhand, the list has expanded by three new stretches. Earlier, rivers such as Bhella, Dhella, Suswa, Kichha, Kalyani, Kosi, Nandour and Pikhar were identified. Now, the Bangana, Tons, Ramganga and Yamuna have joined. The Suswa, Bangana, Bhella, Dhella and Kalyani are all in the severe Priority 1 category.

J&K in bad shape

In Jammu and Kashmir, polluted stretches have been noted in the Devak, Chunt Kol, Gawkadal, Tawi, Basanter, Jhelum and Lidder rivers. These findings highlight that even fragile Himalayan ecosystems are not immune to increasing pollution pressures.

Yamuna continues to be critical

Despite several interventions, the Yamuna in Delhi continues to remain in the Priority 1 category, highlighting the scale of urban sewage and industrial discharge. The report reinforces that while progress has been made in reducing the overall number of polluted stretches, India’s rivers remain under severe ecological stress in many regions.

In 2018, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed states to prepare action plans to tackle river pollution.