Eight river stretches in Jammu Kashmir have been identified as polluted, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The information, revealed in response to a starred question by Sanjna Jatav, underscores the growing environmental pressure on rivers across the country, particularly in regions near urban centers and industrial zones.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has marked 311 polluted river stretches across 279 rivers in India. Maharashtra leads with 55 polluted stretches, followed by Madhya Pradesh (19), Bihar and Kerala (18 each), and Karnataka (17). These findings highlight the widespread contamination of rivers, which serve as critical lifelines for drinking water, agriculture, and biodiversity.
In Jammu and Kashmir, one grossly polluting industry (GPI)—defined as discharging over 100 kg of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) load per day or handling hazardous substances—was flagged.
Across India, 3,519 GPIs were reported, with Uttar Pradesh accounting for over 1,200 such industries, far outpacing other states.
To address the crisis, the government has undertaken multiple initiatives. River rejuvenation action plans, led by River Rejuvenation Committees (RRCs), focus on managing municipal and industrial waste, restoring ecological flows, and protecting floodplains.
The Namami Gange programme, aimed at cleaning the Ganga and its tributaries, has sanctioned 203 projects targeting sewage treatment infrastructure.
Despite these efforts, untreated sewage remains a significant problem, particularly in urban areas where sewage treatment plants (STPs) face operational and maintenance issues. Industrial effluent discharge continues to burden river systems, prompting measures such as the installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and online monitoring mechanisms.
The CPCB has issued notices to violating industries, though enforcement remains a challenge.
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the restoration of 13 major rivers, including the Jhelum, Chenab, Yamuna, and Cauvery, have been prepared. These initiatives focus on afforestation, ecological restoration, and biodiversity conservation.
Efforts like wetland protection and aquatic species rescue programmes have shown positive outcomes, with sightings of river dolphins, otters, and turtles increasing in some regions like the Ganga basin.