CPCB report: Yamuna stretch in Delhi among most polluted, Pg8.

Key Highlights:

• The CPCB's latest report identifies the Yamuna river stretch in Delhi from Palla to Asgarpur village as among the most polluted.
• The report identifies 296 polluted river stretches across India.
• 37 river stretches are categorized under Priority I, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).
• The CPCB reviewed water quality data from 2022 and 2023, covering 32,116 locations.

Detailed Insights:

• A polluted river stretch is identified if the BOD exceeds the limit of 3mg/L in two or more locations continuously.
• The number of polluted river stretches has decreased over the years, from 351 in 2018 to 296 in the current assessment.
• Monitoring locations in Delhi include Palla, Wazirabad, ISBT Bridge, ITO Bridge, Nizamuddin, Okhla, and Asgarpur village.
• The Yamuna's pollution is a long-standing issue, despite efforts to clean the river under various action plans.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): The amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): A statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for pollution control.