Points to Remember:
- National Water Policy of India’s key principles: conservation, equitable distribution, participatory management.
- Ganga River pollution: sources, impacts, and control strategies (e.g., Namami Gange).
- Hazardous waste management in India: legal framework (Environment Protection Act, 1986; rules and regulations), challenges, and improvements needed.
Introduction:
India’s National Water Policy (NWP), first formulated in 1987 and revised in 2012, aims to ensure water security for all. It emphasizes integrated water resources management, recognizing water as a finite and valuable resource. The policy addresses issues of water scarcity, pollution, and equitable distribution. The Ganges River, a lifeline for millions, exemplifies the challenges of river pollution and the need for effective management strategies. This answer will enumerate the NWP’s key principles, discuss strategies for Ganga’s pollution control, and outline the legal provisions for hazardous waste management in India.
Body:
I. National Water Policy of India:
The NWP’s core principles include:
- Water Conservation: Promoting efficient water use in agriculture, industry, and domestic sectors.
- Equitable Distribution: Ensuring fair access to water for all users, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations.
- Participatory Management: Involving communities and stakeholders in water resource planning and management.
- Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Adopting a holistic approach considering all aspects of water resources, including surface and groundwater.
- Pollution Control: Preventing and controlling water pollution from various sources.
- Water Pricing: Implementing appropriate water pricing mechanisms to promote efficient use and conservation.
- Capacity Building: Strengthening institutional capacity for water management.
II. Ganga River Pollution Control and Management:
The Ganga River suffers from severe pollution due to:
- Untreated Sewage: Discharge of untreated sewage from urban areas and industries.
- Industrial Effluents: Release of toxic chemicals and heavy metals from industries.
- Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural fields.
- Religious Practices: Immersion of ashes and other materials.
- Solid Waste Disposal: Illegal dumping of solid waste into the river.
Strategies for Ganga’s pollution control include:
- Namami Gange Programme: A flagship program of the Indian government aimed at cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga River. It involves sewage treatment plant construction, industrial effluent treatment, afforestation, and public awareness campaigns.
- Improved Sanitation: Expanding access to sanitation facilities in urban and rural areas to reduce sewage discharge.
- Industrial Regulation: Stricter enforcement of environmental regulations on industries to prevent pollution.
- Community Participation: Engaging local communities in river conservation efforts.
- Scientific Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of water quality to track progress and identify pollution hotspots.
III. Legal Provisions for Hazardous Waste Management in India:
The primary legal framework for hazardous waste management in India is the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA). This Act empowers the central government to set standards, regulate hazardous waste handling, and take action against violators. Specific rules and regulations under the EPA address hazardous waste management, including:
- Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016: These rules detail procedures for the generation, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste. They mandate the use of authorized facilities and require generators to maintain records.
- Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016: These rules specifically address the management of waste generated from healthcare facilities.
- E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022: These rules focus on the environmentally sound management of electronic waste.
Challenges in hazardous waste management include:
- Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient capacity for treatment and disposal of hazardous waste.
- Enforcement Issues: Weak enforcement of existing regulations.
- Illegal Dumping: Widespread illegal dumping of hazardous waste.
- Lack of Awareness: Limited awareness among generators and the public about hazardous waste management.
Conclusion:
The National Water Policy of India provides a framework for sustainable water management, emphasizing conservation, equitable distribution, and participatory approaches. The Ganga River’s rejuvenation exemplifies the challenges and opportunities in implementing these principles. While the Namami Gange program represents significant progress, sustained efforts are crucial. Similarly, effective hazardous waste management requires strengthening the existing legal framework, improving infrastructure, enhancing enforcement, and raising public awareness. A holistic approach, integrating environmental protection with economic development and social justice, is essential for ensuring water security and environmental sustainability in India, upholding constitutional values enshrined in the Directive Principles of State Policy that emphasize the right to a healthy environment. This requires collaborative efforts from government, industry, and civil society to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment for all.