Delhi students launch campaign to save River Yamuna

New Delhi, Feb 23 (ANI): Hundreds of students, environmentalists and residents have joined hands in a campaign to save the River Yamuna from further pollution.

Holding placards and banners, they gathered at the Jamia Milia Islamia University's Ansari Auditorium and raised slogans in favour of 'Yamuna River-Cleaning'.

The River Yamuna that holds not only mythological but also historical significance to the country, is today in a pathetic state and its water is unfit for bathing, leave alone consumption.

According to Central Pollution Control Board, around 70 per cent of the pollution in the Yamuna is human excrement.

Addressing media persons on the sidelines of the function, Tejendra Khanna, Delhi Lieutenant Governor urged the residents to join hands in the campaign.

"The main motive of this campaign is to increase the participation of people in this 'Clean Yamuna River Campaign'. If all of us join hands, then we will decrease the pollution level to a great extent," said Khanna.

He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had given green signal to the 2.5 billion rupees 'Yamuna Action Plan II' and hoped that in 18 months time, the condition of the river would change.

The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993, with the aim of conserving the river has met with no success despite billions being spent on it.

Arti Mehra, Mayor of Delhi said that the second effluent treatment plant would be jointly completed by the Municipal Corporation and the State Government.

"The work of small drains will be covered by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The Delhi State Government will have to look after the work of big drains, sewerage treatment plants and interceptors. I am very hopeful of the project," said Mehra.

While 60 per cent of Delhi's water needs are fulfilled by Yamuna, almost the same percentage of the city's sewage finds its way into the river.

The national capital alone produces 3.6 billion litre of sewage every day, but due to poor management, less than half of it is effectively treated.

The remaining untreated waste is dumped into the Yamuna River. (ANI)