Polluted stretches of rivers in Jammu

We had the old tradition in the country while crossing a river to put a copper coin or something made of copper into it, not only for the deserving reverential purposes but due to a scientific belief to have its waters purified and sterilized continuously for general benefit as copper has that antibacterial and purifying characteristics. However, we can claim to have advanced in all spheres, yet more or less we have miserably failed to save our precious water bodies from gross human violation. We have started paying right through our nose for such violation of these rivers, lakes, springs, wells, canals etc and despite knowing about the deleterious consequences in the long run of not reversing the trend, still we do not appear to be serious. How problems are identified, solutions suggested, action plans on papers prepared and made to wait indefinitely for according approvals resulting in generating of fears of the concerned problems getting out of control, can be seen in the instance of the fate of polluted stretches of five rivers flowing in Jammu. The condition of these identified stretches is such that not to speak of making their water drinkable even after normal treatment but at least to attain the levels of the same being fit for bathing purposes. Even for that, the chain of the levels of approach is pitiably that of total non-seriousness due to the reason of the problem being, perhaps, not falling in the list of the priorities of the Government. That is really a cause of concern.
Although the biggest villain and the top reason of such pollution is untreated sewage water flowing into these rivers, yet there is no headway made in setting up Sewage Treatment Plants except ”sketches” on official papers. Pollution Control Board and other watchdog agencies are doing their job of virtually raising an alarm intermittently so as to salvage the position of pollution in rivers and water bodies especially in the context of the considered stand and direction of the National Green Tribunal on the sensitive subject but the bureaucratic apathy has it that the problem identified way back in 2016-17 when the Central Pollution Control Board identified 351 polluted river stretches in the country including five different stretches in the rivers flowing in Jammu under National Water Monitoring Programme, continues to remain unresolved.
Since in this connection, lot of responsibilities procedurally fall on the Housing and Urban Development Department, the fate of the Detailed Project Reports in connection with according approval to setting up of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to contain the flow of untreated sewage in Chenab and Basantar rivers, till date is not known. However, the mockery about the resolution of the problem can be gauged by the fact that wherever such approval is accorded also, actual work for setting up an STP plant has not yet started as for example in the case of Bal Ganga. The case of river Tawi is similar as in identified 13 Nallahs polluting it, the DPRs prepared and submitted are virtually rendered redundant due to being mired in procedural formalities and awaiting formal sanction and approvals. In short, it can well be deduced that the entire issue and that too of no less importance, is treated just casually as from no concerned departments and administrative offices there appears to be any sort of efforts in the offing towards addressing the issue of pollution of identified stretches of the five rivers.
While on the one hand, Biochemical Oxygen demand (BOD) of water being the accepted norm to measure the amount of certain types of organic pollutants in water and by the set standards and while the range should be less than 3mg/1, the same is quite on higher side in polluted stretches of rivers in Jammu indicating the high levels of pollution, on the other hand, Urban Environment Engineering Department appears to be helpless and undone as to its role in having these polluted stretches redeemed of their precarious condition. Needless to add, if water is not fit for human use which is the identification of water quality objectives of water bodies like rivers, it can also be equally harmful for aquatic life which can further add to the problem. Under these circumstances, we feel the dire need is there to set up STPs at an early date so that the main source of polluting the rivers is tamed and converted into fully treated form. How long it would take to happen, it is contrary to expectations that those helming the affairs, do not specify. We may add, taking uncalled for liberties with not addressing the issue, may snowball into a major one later involving more resources and, perhaps, with lesser levels of success hence the pollutant “evil” must be nipped in the bud.