Sewage kills half of city’s water bodies

More than 50% of water bodies across Delhi are dry, a study has revealed.

More than 50% of water bodies across Delhi are dry, a study has revealed.

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Of the remaining water bodies, more than 50% have poor quality water. These alarming findings are the result of inspections carried out by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), which monitored as many as 226 water bodies during 2008-2012. The result of the samples collected and analysed was compiled recently.

Delhi has 629 officially recognised water bodies. A public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Vinod Kumar Jain of NGO Tapas has prompted the government to take care of the

water bodies.

The DPCC inspection has revealed that as many as 304 (58%) of the 527 inspections showed dry water bodies. Only 111 (46%) of the remaining 223 samples showed water meeting the quality criterion. The water quality criterion is ascertained by checking whether it is suitable for propagation of wildlife and fisheries.

“When we have this kind of data, we alert the agency which owns the water body. We also look into issues such as available budget for the conservation of water bodies,” said Sandeep Kumar Mishra, member secretary, DPCC.

“We carry out workshops of different stakeholders. We invite resident welfare associations (RWAs), villagers and government agencies to spread a word about awareness for conservation,” Mishra added.

Inflow of sewage water and industrial effluents, unplanned development, garbage dumping and encroachment are some of the reasons that have led to drying of water bodies across the city, the findings of the inspection visits has reiterated.

“Fresh water bodies are a strategic resource and must be managed and used in a judicious manner,” said an official.