Pollution in Yamuna River has increased rapidly and the protection of this river includes several governmental steps. Yamuna is unfortunately one of the most polluted rivers in the world, especially in the banks near New Delhi, the capital of India. Almost 57% of the city?s waste is dumped into the river. Numerous attempts have been made to clean it; however the efforts have brought few changes. In addition, the water in this river remains torpid for almost 9 months in a year infuriating the situation.

Pollution of Yamuna River
Yamuna?s water is distinguishable as "clear blue" as compared to silt-ridden yellow of the Ganges. Due to high density population growth, rapid industrialization, today Yamuna is terribly polluted. Delhi alone debouches around 3,296 MLD (million litres per day) of dirt in the river. This makes harms to aquatic life and depletes oxygen level resulting into bad odours and turbidity. The river water is suitable due to pollution, for uses like drinking, outdoor bathing, propagation of aquatic life, irrigation and industrial purposes.

Industrial pollution affects oxygen, temperature & pH etc. Large and medium industrial units - 22 in Haryana, 42 in Delhi and 17 in Uttar Pradesh have been accused as directly discharging and polluting the river Yamuna under the Action Plan area.

Protection of Yamuna River
The government of India has prepared elaborate plans to reconstruct and revamp the sewage system and also the drainage system that empty into the river. In the context of river pollution, certain actions of cleaning river have been strictly taken by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of the Government of India (GOI) in 12 towns of Haryana, 8 towns of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi under an action plan called the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP), which is being implemented since 1993 by the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) also participates actively in the Yamuna Action Plan in 15 of the above 21 towns, excepting the 6 towns of Haryana included later on the direction of the honourable Supreme Court of India. In August 2009, he Delhi Jal Board (DJB) prompted its plan for resuscitating the Yamuna?s 22 km stretch in Delhi by constructing interceptor sewers.