Yamuna River: Remedial measures for improving water quality

The Yamuna is the largest tributary of Ganga and both have economic, religious and cultural significance. Nearly 57 million people in most of the towns and villages along its course are dependent on the Yamuna's water. Yamuna is being over exploitated quantitatively as well as qualitatively. Sewage from urban and rural areas accounts for approximately 85% of the total pollution load in the Yamuna. At some places Yamuna is so polluted that it does not meet the primary water quality criteria. Causes, extent and impact of pollution on water quality of the Yamuna river and some preventive measures to bring down the pollution in Yamuna are suggested in this review paper.