Question : RIVERS HEADING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

(a) the findings and recommendations of the study carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment regarding Indian rivers heading for environmental disaster because of untreated sewage flowing into them;

(b) the number of sewage treatment plants required and available for each of the major rivers and technological standards of these plants;

(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate new policy initiatives to collect all relevant data on river water pollution level, set up appropriate sewage treatment plants with updated technology for treating all sewage and pollution affluents before drain/sewage water flows into rivers and to restore the rivers; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) The study entitled “Sewage Canal – How to Clean the Yamuna” published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) highlights the problem of sewage generation, disposal and the increasing pollution levels in the river Yamuna, among some of the other rivers. The report suggests ensuring measures such as prudent water use through a package of fiscal measures, decentralization of sewage treatment, reuse and recycling of treated sewage, improved utilization of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), achievement of minimum flow in rivers, rejuvenation of water bodies etc.

(b) As per a study conducted by Central Pollution Control Board, out of the total sewage generation of 29,129 million litres per day(mld) in the country, treatment capacity of 6,190 mld is available at present. The number of Sewage Treatment Plants required to treat the remaining sewage would be dependent on the site specific conditions, appropriate technologies and availability of financial resources among others. The river wise details of the STPs commissioned so far under the National River Conservation Plan including Ganga Action Plan are given in the Annexure. The notified effluent standards for STPs for discharge in surface water bodies are : Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) – 30 miligrams per litre and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) – 100 miligrams per litre.

(c) & (d) Conservation of rivers is a dynamic activity with ever increasing pollution load due to increase in population. Review of the strategies of conservation policy and identification of additional towns and rivers, setting up appropriate STPs with updated technology for treating all sewage and pollution effluents before their discharge into rivers is a continuous process. Water being a State subject, it is responsibility of State Governments/local bodies to create proper sewage infrastructure to prevent pollution from entering into the rivers. Central Government is only supplementing the efforts of the State Governments by providing one time grant for capital works for identified polluted stretches of rivers.