Introduction
Air and water pollution are two of the greatest environmental hazards that modern urban landscapes grapple with, especially in countries with a high population density, like India. Though air pollution often occupies the front pages of newspapers due to its immediate, widespread impact on human health, the consequences of water pollution are equally unforgiving – more so, it might be argued, in areas where sacred festivals converge with natural resources.
It scrutinizes the interdependence of AQI and the pollution levels in Delhi, with great emphasis on the toxic froth in the Yamuna River during Chhath Puja, regarded as the biggest Hindu festival.
Understanding AQI: A Comprehensive Guide to the Air Quality Index and Its Impact
The AQI is a generalized index to track and report the quality of air in an area. It defines the availability of various harmful chemicals. The six categories of AQI are composed of health concern representations as below:
0-50 (Good): Air quality is considered satisfactory, posing little or no risk.
51-100 (Moderate): Air quality is acceptable; however, some pollutants may cause a moderate health concern for a very small number of people.
101-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects, but the general public is less likely to be affected.
151-200 (Unhealthy): Everyone may begin to experience adverse health effects, with sensitive individuals at greater risk.
201-300 (Very Unhealthy): Health alert; everyone may experience more serious health effects.
301-500 (Hazardous): Emergency conditions; the entire population is likely to be affected.
Here, in Delhi, AQI levels often soar during winter; Later, for most of the year, it is largely because of vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction work, as well as the seasonal factor of burning crop stubble in the bordering states.
Yet when it comes to Delhi city itself, its environmental issues extend far beyond the air-quality-related issues of the waterways, and that is the Fauna River.
Pollution and the Plight of River Yamuna: The Environmental Impact on Aquatic Life
The Yamuna River is often called Delhi’s lifeline, but it happens to be the most polluted river in India. One of the significant rivers in the city’s ecosystem is, however, burdened with gross levels of toxic pollutants.
Indiscriminate discharging of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and toxic chemicals is the main polluting agent accounting for 60% of the river’s pollution. These pollutants greatly contribute to the so-called “toxic froth,” an otherwise undesirable sight in the river when it floats atop at certain times of the year as it did around Chhath Puja.
Toxic Froth in the Yamuna: A Stark Warning of Severe Water Pollution
The toxic froth seen floating atop the Yamuna River has become a common and alarming phenomenon-thereby becoming increasingly worrisome, especially during the winter months when water flow is reduced.
This froth, brought about by untreated sewage and chemical effluent of industries, consists of harmful chemicals and pollutants that do not only pose a danger to aquatic life but also to human health. Froth contains phosphates and surfactants from detergents, industrial effluents, and household wastes, forming thick layers of foam floating on the surface of the river.
The problem of this toxic froth is coupled with the fact that untreated sewage is entering the river, while waste treatment facilities in the area are normally not working to their full capacity or have not been operational altogether. Excessive use of detergents containing a high percentage of phosphates from residential areas close to the river is responsible for the imbalanced chemistry of the river, causing this froth to accumulate.
The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Chhath Puja: A Reverence for the Sun and Nature
Chhath Puja is one of the oldest festivals that individuals observe mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh; however, it is performed everywhere in Delhi. It is to Surya Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.
The practice of this ritual involves rigorous ceremonies and offerings to the west and east sun while standing up to the knee in the water body. Devotees fast and stand up to the knee level in water for days in the process of performing prayers.
Still, over the years, the noxious character of the Yamuna River has attracted much concern related to health and hygiene for those devotees who bathe directly in the river during such festivities.
Froth containing toxic chemicals is a serious health issue that may lead to various diseases like skin diseases respiratory disturbances, and other serious health issues.
Environmental and Health Challenges: The Impact of Pollution on Well-being
The threat of simultaneous air and water pollution that Delhi witnessed during Chhath Puja is rather unique. While on the one hand, the rising AQI levels in the city are further worsening breathing issues and other troubles that afflict its people, on the other hand, the poisonous froth atop Yamuna poses a direct challenge to the health of devotees who wade into its waters.
The froth is dangerous for human use since it contains harmful pollutants. This contact may lead to skin irritation, rashes, and other illnesses resulting from exposure when the chemicals are ingested or come into contact with the skin for a longer time.
Constant exposure to harmful pollutants in the environment, either through air or water, raises the vulnerability among the groups, the most susceptible being children, elderly people, and those suffering from pre-existing medical conditions.
The pollutants in the Yamuna contain heavy metals as well as industrial chemicals that frequently remain in the environment and have poisoned groundwater and the food chain.
Steps to Curtail Yamuna Pollution
The Indian government and environmental bodies have been making efforts over the years to address the problem of the Yamuna River pollution. Numerous action plans toward reducing the pollution levels of the river have been initiated and developed through the Clean Yamuna initiatives and are more widely recognized as the Yamuna Action Plan.
Despite such initiatives, the pace of improvement has been slow and disturbing, whereas the extent of Fauna pollution still is distressingly high. Not having effective enforceability of environmental regulations accompanied by rapid urbanization and industrial growth has also disallowed such initiatives.
Moreover, this population boom in the city has increased the demand for water as well as its waste management, which is straining the existing infrastructure. The multi-faceted solution to the toxic froth in the Fauna River. These multiple measures include both short-term and long-term measures to address the causes of pollution.
Improving WWTPs: The capacity of the water treatment plants in the capital needs to be increased, and the functioning must be checked much more strictly. It would reduce the direct discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluent into the river.
Phosphate-free Detergents: Schemes for the use of highly phosphate-free detergents should be controlled or prohibited. Public awareness of free eco-friendly and biodegradable detergents can also make a big impact in reducing the chemicals in the river.
Public Awareness and Involvement: For pollution, there is a need to involve people. During festivals like Chhath Puja, awareness about not using polluted water bodies for religious rituals and using artificial ponds set up for the festival may be enhanced.
Strict Implementation of Environment Regulations:
The governments and departments of the environment need to ensure that the government and environmental authorities strictly implement pollution control laws. Those industries violating the law must be charged with heavy fines, and adequate measures must be taken to prevent the disposal of untreated waste into water bodies.
Collaboration with religious bodies and organizations plays an even bigger role in educating people about environmental protection. The after-effects of most festivals and rituals can also be lessened environmentally if some sustainable practices are instituted during the time of their celebrations.
Conclusion
As Chhath Puja approaches, the sight of toxic froth in Fauna underscores an urgent need to act on pollution in Delhi water bodies. A festival that celebrates the sun and natural elements should not be marred by the consequences of degradation and pollution.
It needs a comprehensive response – from government authorities to industries and environmental organizations and even the common public. Improvement of the AQI and a decrease in toxic froth in Yamuna will both help the environment and health and safety related to people who participate in sacred festivals like Chhath Puja. Sustainable practices, stricter enforcement of environmental law, and an increasingly aware public form steps toward a cleaner, healthier future for Delhi and its residents.
-AKRITEE SINHA
MUST READ: FROM PUNISHMENT TO PROTECTION: INDIA UNVEILS NEW LADY JUSTICE STATUE
