India River Pollution Status

Context:

CPCB’s latest assessment shows a slight decrease in the number of rivers unfit for bathing in 2023 compared to 2022.

India River Pollution Status

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): Primary indicator used by CPCB to measure organic pollution in rivers. BOD > 3 mg/L is considered unfit for bathing.
Polluted River Stretch (PRS): Defined as two continuous locations exceeding BOD limits in a river.
Key Data (2023 vs 2022):
- Rivers unfit for bathing: 807 (2023) vs 815 (2022).
- PRS locations: 296 in 271 rivers (2023) vs 311 in 279 rivers (2022).
- Priority 1 (most polluted, BOD > 30 mg/L): 37 stretches (2023) vs 45 stretches (2022).

State-wise Highlights:
- Highest PRS: Maharashtra (54), Kerala (31), MP & Manipur (18 each), Karnataka (14).
- Highest Priority 1 stretches: Tamil Nadu, UP, Uttarakhand (5 each).
Monitoring Network: CPCB monitors 4,736 locations including rivers, lakes, canals, and drains.
Implications for Policy: Indicates incremental improvement in river health but continued priority on pollution hotspots; essential for NamamiGange Mission, National River Conservation Plan, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation).