(a) whether pollution level of rivers has increased due to flow of untreated poisonous
chemicals in rivers and excessive mining activities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to reconstitute Central Pollution Control Board and
State Pollution Control Boards functioning in various States; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI
NATARAJAN)
(a) & (b) Yes sir, the major reason of pollution of rivers is the disposal of
partially treated or untreated domestic waste water from the cities and towns located
on the banks of the rivers. The industrial effluents after their treatment also find way
into the rivers through sewage carrying drains. The water quality of rivers is getting
affected adversely due to bacteriological contamination. The Central Pollution Control
Board is monitoring the water quality of rivers in collaboration with State Pollution
Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. Based on such studies, 150 polluted
river stretches have been identified. In order to check pollution of river water on
account of mining activities, lifting of boulders by the stone crushers and other
similar mining activities in the rivers are prohibited.
(c) & (d) The Government has carried out a review of the functioning of Central
Pollution Control Board through a study entrusted to the Indian Institute of Management,
Lucknow, in 2010. The study has recommended for strengthening of CPCB in-terms of
personnel, laboratories up-gradations and information / database management. However,
there is no proposal for reconstitution of CPCB. Since the State Governments under
the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act 1981 are empowered to look into the functioning of State
Pollution Control Boards, the question of the review of the functioning of the State
Pollution Control Boards by the Central Government does not arise.