The Maha Kumbh is creating ripples with devotees turning out in huge numbers and taking bath at the Triveni Sangam. The recent reports submitted by the National Green Tribunal have reported alarming levels of fecal bacteria and Fecal coliform in the holy waters. This has posed many risks and the spread of waterborne diseases risking public health. This led to NGT sending summons to the UP authorities.
What Does the Report Say?
According to a quality assessment report submitted by the NGT to the central pollution control board, high levels of coliform are present in the holy waters accounting for about 1400 times the standards of Ganga and 660 times the standards in Yamuna at some stretches in a particular day. The presence of coliform is the key indicator of the presence of untreated sewage, and human and animal excreta in the waters. This makes it completely unfit for bathing.
What Levels Should Be Maintained?
The Pollution Control Board standards for outdoor bathing should not exceed 500 MPN per 100 ml. When the levels were checked on January 19th, the coliform levels were too high accounting for about 700,000 MPN/100 ml in the Ganga and 330,000 MPN/100 ml in the Yamuna. Although the levels were checked continuously on several other days, the levels never met with the standards.
Based on these results, it is clear that the water quality standards have not been maintained as per NGY ‘s directive but also raised concerns about public health and environmental sustainability. The tribunal’s principal bench raised these concerns, headed by its chairperson Justice Prakash Srivatsava during a hearing on February 17th.
UP Pollution Board Held Responsible
The high levels of coliform in the holy waters have posed significant risks of water-borne diseases and have also endangered aquatic life and the overall river health. The tribunal bench criticized the UP pollution control board for not maintaining the quality of the waters and ordered the board’s member secretary and the state authority responsible for maintaining the water quality to appear virtually before the bench on February 19th.
NGT’S Order
NGT ordered both pollution control boards last December itself to monitor the quality of the water regularly so that the pilgrims who are coming to take baths in the holy waters do not suffer. It had also ordered to ensure that untreated sewage does not flow into the river making it unfit for bathing. It has been directed to analyze water samples at least twice a week in both rivers to keep a check on the quality of the water
Despite these directives, the CPCB has now confirmed that water quality at all monitored locations has failed to meet the bathing criteria on multiple occasions. This revelation has sparked widespread concern among the public, especially as crores of devotees continue to take a holy dip in the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh. The alarming state of pollution in these revered waters has raised questions regarding the effectiveness of governmental and environmental agencies in safeguarding the health and religious sentiments of the masses.
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With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
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