Q.Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : Water Pollution Water pollution is a source of various water-borne diseases. The diseases commonly caused due to contaminated water are diarrhoea, intestinal worms, hepatitis, etc. The World Health Organization shows that about one-fourth of the communicable diseases in India are water-borne. Though river pollution is common to all rivers, yet pollution of the river Ganga flowing through one of the most populous regions of India has caused great concerns among all. To improve the condition of the river, National Mission for Clean Ganga was initiated. The Namami Gange Programme has been launched for the same. (19.1) Describe the main cause of water pollution. (19.2) Mention any two features of the Namami Gange Programme. (19.3) Explain the impact of water pollution on human health.

Urban Waste Management Issues: Water Pollution

(19.1) Main Cause of Water Pollution

Water pollution arises primarily from the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated waste into water bodies. Industrial effluents, sewage from households, agricultural runoff carrying pesticides and fertilizers, and religious or cultural practices that involve disposal of materials into rivers all contribute to contamination. In densely populated regions, the sheer volume of waste generated overwhelms the natural capacity of rivers to assimilate pollutants, leading to severe degradation of water quality.

(19.2) Features of the Namami Gange Programme

The Namami Gange Programme was launched as part of the National Mission for Clean Ganga to address the pollution of the river Ganga. Two key features include:

• Sewage treatment infrastructure: Construction and upgradation of sewage treatment plants along the river to prevent untreated wastewater from entering the Ganga.
• River-front development and public participation: Initiatives to develop ghats, crematoria, and promote community involvement in keeping the river clean through awareness campaigns and local action.

(19.3) Impact of Water Pollution on Human Health …

The Crisis of Water Pollution

Water pollution arises when harmful substances contaminate rivers, lakes and groundwater, rendering them unsafe for human use and aquatic life. In a densely populated country like India, the problem is acute. Rivers that once sustained civilisations now carry the burden of modern waste.

Main Causes of Water Pollution

The primary driver of water pollution is untreated sewage. Millions of litres of domestic wastewater flow directly into rivers every day, carrying organic matter, pathogens and nutrients that deplete oxygen and foster disease. Industrial effluents add another layer of toxicity: factories discharge heavy metals, chemicals and dyes without adequate treatment, poisoning water sources downstream. Agricultural runoff completes the triad—fertilisers and pesticides wash off fields during rains, introducing nitrates and phosphates that trigger algal blooms and choke aquatic ecosystems. Religious and cultural practices, such as immersion of idols and disposal of ritual materials, further contribute organic and inorganic pollutants. Solid waste dumped along riverbanks leaches into the water, while untreated or poorly treated industrial and municipal waste overwhelms the natural purification capacity of rivers.

The Namami Gange Programme

Recognising the scale of the crisis, the government launched the Namami Gange Programme under the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Two key features define this initiative:

• Sewage treatment infrastructure: The programme focuses on building and upgrading sewage treatment plants along the Ganga and its tributaries, ensuring that urban wastewater is treated before discharge. This addresses the single largest source of pollution.

• River-front development and public participation: Beyond infrastructure, Namami Gange emphasises cleaning ghats, afforestation along riverbanks, and mobilising communities through awareness campaigns. The idea is to restore not just water quality but the cultural and ecological integrity of the river, involving citizens in its protection.

Impact on Human Health …