A Review on Current Status of Riverine Pollution in India

Abstract

Water is one of the essential resources needed on Earth for the survival of humans. The Indian people consider rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, and Sabarmati sacred, while the Mithi river had bio-diversified importance. Drinking and taking bath in the sacred rivers is a common practice.These rivers cover a total distance of 4272 kilometres. But the water quality of these rivers is compromised by the presence of various contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, organic waste, chemical waste, and direct discharge of sewage.The pollution levels have risen as a result of the chemical industry's output of 30984 metric tonnes in 2019-2020. Over the years, the agriculture sector has used 3,50,000 Mt of DDT.The water has become unfit for any human consumption, thus posing a possible threat of diseases outbreak. These rivers pass through the major urban cities of India like Delhi, major economic cities of Uttar Pradesh state, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. There is a risk of certain lethal diseases due to the direct exposure of humans and other life forms to toxic chemicals and heavy metals through polluted river water. The objective of this study is to examine the causes of water contamination in major Indian rivers and their potential risk on human health.