Thames, Rhine, Yellow River… is Yamuna next?
Science and Environment
Naima Sood
10 JUN 2025 | 10:07:32
The Yamuna has been the lifeblood of Delhi, revered culturally and vital for its ecology. Yet today, the river is in a state of severe environmental distress, with pollution levels reaching alarming new highs. Recent reports from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee reveal that despite billions spent and numerous sewage treatment plants, untreated sewage and industrial waste continue to choke the river, pushing it to the brink of ecological collapse.In this grim scenario, a fresh and unexpected force has emerged to champion the river’s revival- Delhi’s children.
A River in Crisis
A River in Crisis
The Yamuna, once a sacred and vibrant river flowing through India’s capital, is now one of the most polluted rivers in the world.According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the city generates approximately 3,800 million litres of sewage every day.
However, only about 2,600 million litres are treated before being released. This leaves roughly 1,200 million litres—equivalent to 480 Olympic-sized swimming pools—of untreated sewage flowing directly into the river daily.
Beyond sewage, industrial effluents and rampant dumping of garbage have turned the Yamuna into a heavily polluted and ecologically degraded waterway. The consequences are dire: loss of aquatic life, health risks for millions, and a tarnished cultural heritage.
Youth Leading the Charge
In an inspiring turn, the fight to save the Yamuna is being led not by engineers or politicians but by Delhi’s schoolchildren. Under the leadership of Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the government launched the Maa Yamuna Swachhta Abhiyan—a campaign that places students at its heart.
Children across the city are creating posters, organising community awareness drives, and spreading messages about the importance of keeping the river clean.
Children across the city are creating posters, organising community awareness drives, and spreading messages about the importance of keeping the river clean.
Lessons from Global River Revivals
But can Yamuna be revived? History offers hope that even severely polluted rivers can recover with the right approach:
- The Thames River (London): Declared “biologically dead” in the 1950s, decades of investment in sewage treatment and strict pollution controls have restored the Thames to a thriving ecosystem.
- The Rhine River (Europe): Once Europe’s most polluted river, it was cleaned up through multinational cooperation and €80 billion in investments, resulting in a dramatic ecological turnaround.
- The Yellow River (China): A $20 billion campaign involving reforestation, industrial reforms, and rigorous enforcement helped revive this vital waterway.
These examples underline that revival is possible—but it requires more than awareness.
The Road Ahead: Beyond Awareness
While Delhi’s youth are showing the way forward, experts emphasise that lasting change demands comprehensive action.Modern sewage treatment infrastructure must be expanded and upgraded. Polluters must face zero tolerance enforcement. Most importantly, sustained political commitment is essential to maintain momentum.
