| Introduction: Briefly describe the geographical origin of Yamuna. Body: Describe its historical relationship with Delhi and how has urban development impacted this relationship. Conclusion: Way forward. |
The Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier & is the largest tributary of the Ganga River. The stretch of the river from its origin to Okhla in Delhi is called “Upper Yamuna”. It covers parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Its water is used for farming and irrigation, making it one of the highest food-yielding river basins in the country benefiting Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, NCT of Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. It is also the main source of raw water for the national capital and is a breeding ground for aquatic organisms. Today, Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the country.
What is the historical relationship between Delhi and Yamuna?
- Important monuments: The two most important forts of Delhi, Salimgarh Fort built by Salim Shah Sur, in 1546 & Red Fort built by Shah Jahan in 1648, are connected by a bridge as the river Yamuna flows between the two forts.
- Water entrance: Shah Jahan’s original city of Delhi had 14 gates with a water gate’, Khizri Darwaza, that opened directly to the river through which the Emperor used to enter the fort.
- Strategic use: The river location was instrumental in the construction of the fort as it provided a barrier against enemy forces, its water was used to feed the population.
- Baolis: It is a reservoir in which water can be stored and can be used for drinking and bathing purpose. It was also source of groundwater. Some important baolis in Delhi are Purana Qila Baoli, Feroz Shah Kotla Baoli, Agrasen ki Baoli, & Nizamuddin Baoli. These baolis are important was rainwater conservation.
How have urban development and environmental changes impacted this relationship over time?
- Change of course: The river has changed its course over the decades. Scientists have believed this is due northward movement of the Indian Tectonic Plate.
- Dead River: Sewage and domestic and industrial effluents have made its water toxic and unfit for consumption. Studies have called it a “glorified drain” and a “dead river”, unable to sustain any life. According to a 2020 report by Yamuna Monitoring Committee (YMC), the 22-kilometer stretch of the Yamuna which traverses Delhi is only two percent of the length of the river but accounts for over 75 percent of the total pollution load in the river, which comes from untreated domestic sewage, industrial and solid waste.
- Encroachment on floodplains: A report by Centre for Science and Environment has shown that 63% of wetlands and waterbodies in the Yamuna floodplain are dry. The loss of waterbodies makes the city more prone to floods.
Conclusion:
There is an urgent need to implement natural solutions like creating green areas along the river, timely de-silting of drains, making pavements porous, and ensuring accountability of officials to mitigate the situation of urban flooding in Delhi.
