Vrindavan, 2017.06.15 (VT): Delhi and NCR are often blamed for dumping industrial waste into the Yamuna, but as it turns out, more than 150 factories within Mathura district pollute the holy river.
These facts were revealed by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Lucknow, in reply to questions asked by environmental activist Akash Vashishtha under the Right to Information act.
In an interview with Vrindavan Today, Akash Vashishtha said, “These days the government is very keen on paving the Yamuna riverbed with concrete to build new ghats under the riverfront development project.
“What is the use of developing the riverfronts when polluted water is still going into the river?” wondered Vashishtha.
Mr. Vashishtha, who has filed a Public Interest Litigation against the Yamuna River front Development Project added, “If they can stop the chemical discharge from these factories, we may begin to see clean water in the Yamuna River once more. The government must focus on establishing more sewage treatment plants rather than bringing a civil project in the eco-sensitive floodplain areas.”
According to the Pollution Control Board’s report, there are 159 factories on the Yamuna riverbank that discharge chemicals into the sacred waters. Up to one year ago, 116 of these were operational, while another 43 were inactive but may continue to run and pollute in the future.
Within the limits of Mathura District there are many types of industries such as tanneries, metal works, textile processing factories, oil refineries and petrol companies. According to the Pollution Control board, fifty-seven of these factories are running within government regulations, whereas seventeen are not following any of the rules. There is no data available for 76 of these factories, while the rules are not applicable to nine of them.
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