The total length of Yamuna is 1230 Kms. It starts from the foothills of Himalayas (Yamnotri) and ends by mixing with Ganga and Saraswati at Prayag (Allahabad). Yamuna enters Delhi at Palla village 15 Kms upstream of Wazirabad barrage, which acts as a reservoir for Delhi.To conduct the present study three locations are identified Viz., Okhla, Agra and Nizamuddin. These three stratums of the study have been selected owing to its significant pressures on Yamuna and the consequent result of pollution because of the various anthropogenic activities.The Okhla is an industrial area, having a population of about 1050 people per sq km. Total area of Okhla is , producing 1485 t non-degradable waste materials and700 tons industrial chemicals.Similarly, the population of Agra and Nizamuddin is 1089 people per sq km and 889 people per sq km respectively. These two places also produce 1100 tons of chemical per annum from its 549 numbers of industries and from the agricultural fields.Considering this worse scenario, the current study has decided to cover these three places, which is envisioning bringing out some more information with scientific insights, which would enable the policy makers to frame policy reforms in the near future.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Climate Change and Global Warming: Save Yamuna
Statement of the problem:
Availing ‘good’ water is a universal problem. Recently, the United Nations marked in one of its widely acclaimed publication, ‘Water- A Shared Responsibility’ that the problem we face today is largely one of governance: equitably sharing this water while ensuring the sustainability of natural ecosystems. At this point in time, we have not yet achieved this balance (Anon., 2008). This problem of water management is further aggravated by ‘the contemporary life style’ of civil societies. The present urban and rural setup is not only polluting the existing water bodies with various lethal chemicals but also adding impetus to the water scarcity with their non-sustainable water consumption behavior. According to the World Bank data (2001), the rate of world water pollution has increased in manifold since 1980s’. The data reveal that there is a change in emission of organic and industrial water pollutants in countries like USA, China and India from 2,742,993, 3,358,203 and 1,457,474 Kg/day in 1980s’ to 5,339,072, 2,477,830 and 1,441,293 Kg/Day respectively in the year 2001. The situation is more critical in rivers like Yamuna, which has been exposed to anthropogenic pollution for many decades. Pepper (2007) has reported that eighty percent of the country's urban waste goes directly into rivers like Yamuna, many of which are so polluted they exceed permissible levels for safe bathing. In a study conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) at various locations in Yamuna (like- Palla, Nizamuddin and Okhla) has been increased four-fold as compared to January 2004. This is about 48 times higher than the maximum permissible level of 3 mg/l for bathing. In March 2006, BOD levels decreased to 90 mg/l, which is almost, doubles that of March 2004. Jain (2003) reported presence of heavy metals in the water of Yamuna, which is assumed to be serious proportions due to their toxicity and accumulative behavior. The researcher has also noted that the presence of 30–50% of lead at most of the sites of Yamuna exist in exchangeable fraction while 30–50% of cadmium at almost all the sites is either exchangeable or carbonate bound and therefore causes high risk and can easily enter the food chain. Another researcher reported that most of the copper is in immobile fraction at Delhi while at other sites, a sizable portion (10–30%) is found in carbonate fraction thus posing medium risk for the aquatic environment (Singhal, 2005). Cadmium (about 0-20 micro gram) which is considered as carcinogenic in nature can interact with the cell to initiate the cancer usually by chemically altering the chromosomes or genes in cells which are responsible for manufacturing the enzymes and other proteins a cell needs to function properly. Many chemicals like lead , Cadmium, mercury, DDT, endosulphan that we are exposed to in the environment mimic the action of normal estrogen to some degree; such chemicals are called xenoestrogens (literally, foreign estrogen). Exposure to xenoestrogens(0-15 micro gram /l)(Blumer,W & Clanton) in the environment may cause breast cancer (Davis and Bradlow, 1995).These xenoestrogens may cause the change in the structure of nucleic acid present in our body. Chemical and Physical mutagens can cause mutation like alkylating and intercalating agents(EtBr,proflavin etc).They may cause Transversion (replacement of purine by pyrimidine or vice versa).Ex. Sickle cell Anaemia a deadly disease which is increasing day by day in Delhi and other nearby regions, this disease is due to change of base pair as GAG -> GUG (changing of Adenine by Uracil) as the mutant hemoglobin protein has valine instead of glutamine, due to which oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin decreases.
The normal functioning of the body respiratory,neurological,digestive ,endocrine, skeletal etc. can be upset by variety of chemicals used or produce day today life. These included heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium etc. and organic compounds like Hexa chloride benzene, DDT, chlordane etc).Cancer caused by many of the pollutants mention above. The release of Radioactive isotopes may cause mutation in the genetic material of the reproductive system and can affect the future generation.( Robert, Peter 1995). 1.2 Scope of the Study : Though, a few studies have been conducted by Jain (2003), Aggarwal, P K and Kalra, N., (1994); Aggarwal, P K., et. al. (2003); Bachelet, D., and Gay, C. A., (1993); Benioff, R., et. al. (1996); Burton, I., et. al., (1998); Carter, T R., et. al., (1994); Glantz, M. H., (1998) ; Gosain A K., and Rao, S., (2003) ; IPCC, 2001b; Sinha, S K. and Swaminathan, M S., (1991); Timmerman, P (1994); UNEP, 1998; UNFCCC, 1999; Woodward, F. I., et al. (1995), CES (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) on water pollution in various river system and water bodies of the world, the issues of ‘potentiality of mutation’ of the pollutants at the Yamuna context has not been significantly covered in these studies. Though in a few research programes, attempts were made to develop time series data of the water pollution of Yamuna and effect of pollutants on flora and fauna, the approach of all these research were macro in nature. At the same time, there is no dedicated mention of this aspect in the any of these research papers. It is also observed that probability of genetic alterations and variability is rarely considered in Indian research on river system. Therefore, this study will focus on this issues, and examine the micro picture of the water pollution of the river Yamuna. An attempt will be made to identify the chemicals (like, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines etc.) responsible for causing mutagenicity in surface waters. An experiment will also be conducted on the Flora and species by growing them in laboratory conditions and also on the Fauna species by collecting their samples from Yamuna and by extracting tissue and performing different experiment on them like extraction of DNA, Isoenzymes and different proteins by using different methodology like centrifugation, SDS-PAGE method, PCR using molecular markers(RFLP,RAPD et) spectophotometry , Southern Blotting etc and also try to see position of mutation in DNA with the help of site directed mutagenesis and different methodology.
Objectives:
The present study is conceived with the following objectives- a) To create a time series data of pollution of Yamuna river for the last one decade. b) To examine the effect of pollution on aquatic flora and fauna in Yamuna river c) To investigate the presence of hazardous elements in water and its effect on surrounding environment d) To explore the probability of Genetic variations or mutation on aquatic flora and Fauna in Yamuna due to the pollution by the Identification of the mutagenic particles causing mutation.
Yamuna and Climate Change:
Of late, it is realized that climate change could also make a significant impact on the fresh water resources of the world. Indeed, based on the projected scenarios of the climate changes of IPCC 4th Assessment Report, it is felt that due to the change in the precipitation rate, evapotranspiration and other climate induced factors, the future of tributaries like Yamuna going to be changed. Based on the Exhibit: 1.1, it is found that due to the climate change, caused by anthropogenic activities, in north and central India, ground water as well as fresh water is going to face acute Arsenic and fluoride toxicity leading to epidemic health problem.
Whereas, the Exhibits 1.2 and 1.3 depicts that the pattern of rainfall is very likely to increase in states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Central India. The average temperature is also very likely to be increased by 3.75%. In this type of projected scenario, endowed with continuous population growth, the runoff of river Yamuna and its pollution is going to increase in manifold.
The Health Dimension:
Water-related diseases are a human tragedy, killing millions of people each year, preventing millions more from leading healthy lives, and undermining development efforts. About 2.3 billion people in the world suffer from diseases that are linked to water (Kristof N, 1997).
Some 60% of all infant mortality is linked to infectious and parasitic diseases, most of them water-related (Rowley J. 1990). In some countries water-related diseases make up a high proportion of all illnesses among both adults and children. In Bangladesh, for example, an estimated three-quarters of all diseases are related to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation facilities. In Pakistan one-quarter of all people attending hospitals are ill from water-related diseases (Ali, A. 1992).
Providing clean supplies of water and ensuring proper sanitation facilities would save millions of lives by reducing the prevalence of water-related diseases. Thus, finding solutions to these problems should become a high priority for developing countries and assistance agencies. While water-related diseases vary substantially in their nature, transmission, effects, and management, adverse health effects related to water can be organized into three categories: water-borne diseases, including those caused by both fecal-oral organisms and those caused by toxic substances; water-based diseases; and water-related vector diseases.
Recommendations:
From the discussion of previous chapters, it can be postulated that in the last few decades, there has been a serious concern over the deterioration in its water quality. The river has been receiving large amounts of partially treated and untreated wastewater during its course, especially between Wazirabad and Okhla, National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
Many public interest litigations have been filed pertaining to pollution and degradation of water quality in the river. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, launched the Yamuna Action Plan in 1993 to rejuvenate the river, and Delhi, being the most significant contributor to the waste load, has been specially focused upon. Realizing the implications of water pollution on human and aquatic health, the judiciary also directed central and state authorities to take initiatives to improve the river water quality. Effective management of this polluted segment of the river is, therefore, of prime importance.
Based on the findings of the present study and the evaluation as well as assessment of the existing scenario of the river, following recommendations have been drawn. It is visualized that it could help the policy makers in adopting corrective actions in its ‘Save Yamuna Initiative”.
Short Term Measures:
These include following-
 Immediate closure of all the unauthorized activities which discharge industrial effluents, sludge, oil and chemicals.
 Provide proper garbage collection system to prevent citizens from dumping the same into the river.
Long Term Measures:
Long term measures to minimize pollution in Yamuna River include the following-
 Plan for sewers on both the banks of Yamuna River and provide Sewage treatment plants at various locations. Such plants can be provided wherever proper drainage lines exist today.
 Dredge the entire length of Yamuna river bed to improve its carrying capacity.
 Provide proper garbage collection stations for the benefit of hutment dwellers
What I feel?
I feel that, the responsibilities of Government of India and other stakeholders are huge, which shall drive them for solving the river pollution problem of Yamuna with more appropriate measures & ACTIONS.
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