(a) whether the Government has taken note of the increasing pollution
of rivers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to clean rivers with Public Participation;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government has sought assistance from the World Bank/International
Agency for cleaning of rivers; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND
FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) & (b) The pollution load in rivers is increasing due to discharge
of partially treated and untreated municipal and industrial waste. The
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) along with State Pollution Control
Boards (SPCBs), is monitoring water quality of rivers in terms of Dissolved
Oxygen, Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Fecal Coliforms etc. Based on
BOD levels, 150 polluted stretches have been identified along various rivers
in the country. This Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State
Governments in abatement of pollution in rivers under the National River
Conservation Plan (NRCP) for implementation of projects on a cost sharing basis
between the Central and State Governments.
The NRCP presently covers 41 rivers in 191 towns spread over 20 States.
Various pollution abatement schemes taken up under the Plan, inter-alia,
include interception and diversion of raw sewage, setting up of sewage
treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation facilities, setting up of
electric/improved wood crematoria and river front development.
(c) & (d) Public Participation & Awareness (PP&A) is one of the
components under NRCP for creating awareness among general public and
stakeholders regarding the need to conserve the rivers.
(e) & (f) External assistance from bilateral/ multilateral agencies is
availed of from time to time by the Government for conservation of rivers.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has extended loan assistance for
implementation of Yamuna Action Plan & Ganga Action Plan (exclusive for Varanasi).
World Bank has extended loan assistance for abatement of pollution of river
Ganga under National Ganga River Basin Authority.