21-Mar-2022: Salinity in Coastal Areas

Some parts of the 1600 kilometre coastline, i.e. in the coastal parts of Mongrol – Chorwad of Saurashtra region of Gujarat, have been studied by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Ingress of salinity has been observed in groundwater during the said study. The presence of salinity in ground water along coastal Gujarat may be due to various reasons viz. prevailing hydro-geological settings, presence of physiographic depression in the coastal areas, inundation of sea water in low lying areas due to tidal fluctuation etc.

There is no specific study conducted by this department highlighting increase in  salinity in coastal areas and its effect on aquaculture.

Water being a State subject, management of groundwater water resources including tackling the salinity related issues is mainly State subject. Still, Central Government has taken a number of important measures for conservation, management of ground water including effective implementation of rain water harvesting in the country which to some extant reduces salinity effect in groundwater which can be seen at URL:http://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps_to_control_water_depletion_Feb2021.pdf.

In addition, National Water Policy 2012 talks about monitoring water use pattern, planning appropriate interventions for tackling salinity, alkalinity or, similar quality problems.

The details of various coastal parts of the country vis-a-vis merging of groundwater with seawater as per information with CGWB

In Gujarat, in areas close to the coast, the ground water is saline even at shallow depths. The tidal ingress occurs in upper aquifers and low lying marshy lands inundated by sea water during high tides resulting into mixing of saline sea water with ground water in aquifers. The downward seepage in these areas increases ground water salinity. Further, during pre-monsoon, the water table gets lowered and a reverse hydraulic gradient is established near the coast leading to the landward flow of seawater in some of the stretches along the sea coast. During monsoon season, the water table recovers and a positive gradient is setup which generates submarine groundwater discharge into the Arabian Sea.

In Maharashtra, saline water ingress has been reported in isolated areas along the Maharashtra coast.  The studies carried out by the CGWB in Vasai-Virar area of the Thane district have indicated possible seawater ingress in a small area. The main cause of ingress is excessive exploitation of ground water for irrigation, encroachment of sea water into creeks during high tides and salt pan activities in and around the area.

In Goa, the instance of salinity problem is generally not noticed in the coastal aquifer. However, during summer surrounding areas close to the coast, creeks, marshy areas, islands and along tidal waves localized salinity has been noticed.

In Karnataka, there is no widespread problem of coastal salinity on the Karnataka coast except at a few sporadic locations like Ullal Beach, Mangalore taluk of Dakshina Kannada district and at Baindur in Kundapura taluk of Udupi district. However, it is a localized phenomenon in isolated pockets along the coastal stretch and tidal rivers.

Sea water ingress has not been reported by studies carried out by CGWB in Kerala coastal region.  However, seasonal tidal ingress is noticed all along the coastal region of Kerala.

In Tamil Nadu on the basis of exploration and Groundwater management studies by government and non-government agencies, certain areas ( Minjur area, North of Chennai city, Chennai District, Tiruvanmiyur- Kovalam Tract, Southern part of Chennai City, Cuddalore Coast, Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur & Tuticorin Districts, Kuttam, Radhapuram, Tuticorin District) have been identified as salinity affected areas due to anthropogenic reasons or due to in-situ salinity problems. In Minjur area, located north of Chennai city the interface was about 3.5 kms inland in 1972. It has moved to about 15 kms inland at present

In Andhra Pradesh, fresh aquifer zones in the form of unconfined aquifers occur and are limited to the depth of 20 m to 30 m only, followed by confined aquifers which are mainly saline/brackish. However, the salinity of the confined aquifers is attributed to the marine depositional environment in the geological past. As of now, no saline water ingress is observed/reported along the coastal tracts of Andhra Pradesh State.

In Odisha, Parts of coastal Odisha suffers from salinity hazard which occurs to the east of Kasba Kumurda – Balasore – Gopalpur – Basudevpur – Kothar -Chandikhole – Salepur – Raghunathpur – Niali – Pipli section and extend upto the coastline. No instance of increase in salinity of ground water in the coastal region due to merging of sea water with it has been reported/observed in Odisha.

In West Bengal, the hydrogeological continuum of the sub-surface aquifers, water always flows and merges into sea water, and its salinity is naturally enhanced, even without any anthropogenic intervention.

Initiatives by the State Governments to control salinity in the Coastal areas

Karnataka: The State government is taking up schemes for construction of Vented dams and Salt Water Exclusion Dams in coastal areas and rejuvenation of Kharlands which is likely to improve the quality of groundwater in the vicinity in the targeted areas.

Gujarat: The Government of Gujarat (GOG) appointed High Level Committees (HLC) to examine the problems of salinity ingress along with the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch, and to propose remedial measures, determine the cost of the works and set up priorities for implementation to arrest salinity ingress and push back the saline water front towards the sea. As per recommendations of the committees, the State Government has taken up some of the works in most affected areas. Further, Government has posed dark zone in some area of coastline to reduce over exploitation of groundwater, and also taken up various measures for ground water recharge and also adopted micro- irrigation up to some extent.

Kerala: State Government has installed tidal regulators in major inlets to contain the salinity problem arising out of sea water ingress through the inlets and backwaters.

14-Mar-2022: Revival Of Dying Rivers

Rivers in the country are polluted and contaminated mainly due to discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments. Non-point source of pollution like erosion, transportation and sedimentation of rocks, soils, agriculture runoff, open defecation and runoff from solid waste dumping sites, etc. also contribute to pollution of river.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committee (PCCs) in different States/ Union Territories (UTs) have been monitoring water quality of rivers and other water bodies across the country through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. As per the last report published by CPCB in September 2018, 351 polluted stretches have been identified on 323 rivers based on monitoring results of 521 rivers in the country in terms of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), an indicator of organic pollution. State-wise details of polluted river stretches are given at Annexure.

Based on the assessment of water quality, various measures are being taken both by the Central and the State Government to prevent pollution of rivers and drains out-falling into them. River cleaning is a continuous process and the Central Government assists the State Governments and urban local bodies through schemes like ‘Namami Gange’ and National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) of Ministry Jal Shakti. NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 34 rivers in 77 towns spread over 16 States in the country with a sanctioned cost of Rs.5961.75 crore, and inter-alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2677 million litres per day (mld) has been created. Under the Namami Gange programme a total of 364 projects, including 160 projects for sewage treatment of 5024 mld and sewer network of 5227 kms, have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.30853 crore. In addition, assistance is also provided for sewerage and solid waste management works under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart City Mission of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, etc. Further, priority for effective rejuvenation of small rivers has been accorded under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

of industrial effluents is monitored by the CPCB and the respective SPCBs/ PCCs through the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Besides, in compliance of the order of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Original Application No.673 of 2018 regarding polluted river stretches in the country, State/UTs are required to implement action plan for restoration of the said stretches, including in-situ treatment of drains out-falling into the polluted river stretches, in their jurisdiction within the stipulated timelines. As per the order of NGT, regular review is undertaken in the States/UTs and also at Central level.

Mandakini/Payaswini river is a part of Ganga river basin covered under Namami Gange at present. Among the polluted river stretches identified by CPCB in 2018, 1 polluted river stretch has been identified along Chitrakoot in Mandakini/Payaswini river falling into Priority V in Madhya Pradesh, whose BOD value was reported to be 5.8 milligram per litre (mg/l). The water quality data monitored by Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) for the parameter of BOD in the year 2020 has been reported to be less than 3 mg/l, which complies to the Designated Best Use for Outdoor Bathing Quality Criteria in terms of BOD. Sewage treatment plant (STP) of 4.7 mld capacity with interception and diversion works has been created at a cost of Rs. 6.20 crore for pollution abatement and conservation of Mandakini river at Chitrakoot.

State / UTs Wise Polluted River Stretches 

3-Feb-2022: Pollution in Rivers

Rivers in the country are polluted due to discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments, problems in operation and maintenance of sewage/effluent treatment plants, lack of dilution and other non-point sources of pollution. It is the responsibility of the States/Union Territories (UTs), Local Bodies and Industrial Units to ensure required treatment of sewage, industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging into rivers and other water bodies, coastal waters or land and prohibit dumping of puja materials & other items of religious offerings to prevent and control of pollution therein.

As per the Provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under provisions of these Acts.

CPCB has issued guidelines for idol immersion and disposal of other puja materials during festivals and Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed respective District Magistrates and other Authorities to ensure implementation of guidelines of CPCB to curb pollution due to immersion of idols in rivers and water bodies. In addition, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has also issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 regarding the immersion of idols in rivers and water bodies on festive occasions, directions have been issued to States/UTs for restricting idol immersion into rivers and water bodies during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Deepawali, Chat Puja, Vishwakarma Puja, etc. as these causes pollution/contamination of water leading to deterioration in the quality of water in rivers, water bodies besides having harmful effect on aquatic life.

Besides, in compliance of the orders of NGT in Original Application No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to implement approved action plans, including installation of wastewater treatment plants, for restoration of the polluted river stretches in their jurisdiction as identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines. As per the orders of NGT, regular review on implementation of action plans is undertaken in the States/UTs and also at Central level.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been conducting periodic sampling of major drains (24 nos.) out falling in river Yamuna and at various locations (8 nos.) in the stretch of river Yamuna. CPCB in association with various SPCBs/PCCs have been monitoring the water quality of rivers and other water bodies across the country through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. As per the last report published by CPCB in September 2018, 351 polluted stretches have been identified on 323 rivers in the country based on monitoring results in terms of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), an indicator of organic pollution. This report of CPCB includes the stretches of river Yamuna in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh which are as below:

Under Namami Gange Programme, 23 projects amounting to Rs.4290 crore for creating/rehabilitation of 1840 MLD capacity sewage treatment plants (STP) have been sanctioned in Yamuna river basin. These 23 projects are spread over Himachal Pradesh (1 project), Haryana (2 projects), Delhi (12 projects includes consultancy & public outreach project) and Uttar Pradesh (8 projects). Out of these 23 projects, 6 projects have been completed. Till December 2021, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has utilized an amount of Rs. 1593.32 crore for all the 23 projects for river Yamuna.

In addition, Delhi Jal Board is also undertaking works such as capacity augmentation, improvement in treatment effluent parameters, laying of sewer network, construction of decentralized STPs, sewer interceptor, Septage Management and tapping of drains directly out falling into Yamuna river through the Yamuna Cleaning Cell (YCC) to improve quality of river water of Yamuna.

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