Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions of management and handling of hazardous wastes in India ?

Causes of River Pollution

1. Garbage dumping by locals & nalas (drains) in river.

2. Effluent discharge by factories & industries in rivers.

3. Religious processions involving plastics & synthetic paints dumped in rivers.

4. Lack of enforcement of effluent treatment system on industries.

5. Historical exploitation of rivers by squatter settlements along temporarily dried river channels, polluting it in monsoons.

Legal & Policy framework - Assessment

→ 1) Namami Gange Project - has been extended till 2030, has seen improved quality of water till western UP.

→ 2) Yamuna river cleansing - taken up by delhi government on mission mode.

→ 3) Effluent discharge and sewage Treatment policies & rules not implemented strictly.

→ 4) Topics raised during elections, implementation delayed throughout government tenure.

→ 5) Lack of awareness of civic duties for cleanliness.

Way Forward

→ 1) Joint working groups by all riparian states of a river (eg: Yamuna - Uttarakhand, Harayana, Delhi, UP).

→ 2) Strict enforcement of STP and discharge norms with heavy penalty.

→ 3) Increased water recycling & capacity in urban centres like Delhi, Prayagraj, Merut (Industrial towns).

→ 4) Public movement - by participation of public & industry players.