On November 1, the Yamuna riverfront at Kalindi Kunj was found swamped with toxic foam. It was hard to find streams or spot the flow of water across the river.
Such horrible pollution level in Yamuna has threatened the environment enthusiasts and locals for the past several days, still, people were spotted dumping garbage and taking baths around the river.
A boat swamped with poisonous foam around the river on the sidelines, early morning. The boat owner Sonu finds it hard to row between heavy pollution. Photo: Mariyam Usmani/The Observer Post
Reports state that around 57 million people depend on Yamuna for a living and it fulfils around 70% of the water supply within the city. From disposed garbage, and Industrial waste to wastewater, plastic and domestic trash along with connected drains of Najafgarh and Shahdara; there are many reasons behind the high upsurge of pollution and foamy waves. Around 2 billion litres of water is tossed out into the river every single day. Agricultural waste and sewage water are also considered accountable for pollution.
The frothy wide chunks of foam float on the surface beneath the bridge. It’s been more than a week since the situation is the same, without a change. Photo: Mariyam Usmani/The Observer Post
Apart from this, some toxic ways of Hindu religious celebrations amid trouble-making segments also increase the pollution levels every festive season, which stirs up environmental dangers.
“It’s Yamuna Maiyya and it’s not polluted! It’s pious to us! We come here very often for Pooja!” tells a Hindu woman after dumping flower offerings and taking a bath in deadly water that can even harm her health. Photo: Mariyam Usmani/The Observer Post
The current scenes of Yamuna are a tyranny of present and future, a result of autocracy and the aftermath of fascist regimes that completely avoid ecological issues, which would eventually affect survival-core and life force for millions of people and the city.
A boatman shows the foam in his hands. “It’s dangerous, you would be sick” his friend shouts from behind and instructs him to keep safe. Photo: Mariyam Usmani/The Observer Post
A child playing around poisonous Yamuna. The fight for the environment is often seen as an intergenerational war. Older generations of the city have consumed resources frantically, in the name of alleged progress and development, without thinking about a sustainable wholesome future. Photo: Mariyam Usmani/The Observer Post
Yamuna looks more like a river of foam these days! Its frothy toxins contain high amounts of surfactants, ammonia, phosphates, detergents and heavy metals that can cause serious respiratory issues, skin problems and dangerous diseases. Photo: Mariyam Usmani/The Observer Post
Experts say that Yamuna has lost its aquatic quality and is about to die due to sewage, pollution, sand mining and lack of any proper system to fix these things. Photo: Mariyam Usmani/The Observer Post
In response to the escalating waterlogging crisis caused by the rising Yamuna River, the Delhi government has announced the closure of all schools and...
