‘Ganga stretches in Bengal unfit for bathing’

‘Ganga stretches in Bengal unfit for bathing’

News:

1. A recent map published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed that water of the Ganga stretches in Bengal is so polluted that it is even unfit for bathing.

Important facts:

1. The map was published after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) authorities to set up display board along the banks of the Ganga to indicate whether the water fit for bathing or drinking.
2. The development comes at a time when the Centre has claimed that the Namami Gange project, has achieved considerable success.
3. The graphic map marks the areas where the water of the Ganga is unfit for bathing with red dots.
4. Apart from Kolkata, the other affected stretches of the Ganga are located in the districts of Howra (Uluberia, Shibpur), Hooghly (Tribeni, Serampore), North 24 Paraganas (Palta, Dakhineswar), Nadia (Nabadwip) and Murshidabad (Gorabazar, Behampore, Khagra).
5. The CPCB guidelines upon which the map is based are given below.

• States that water is fit for bathing when the amount of fecal coliform bacteria, found mainly in human faeces, is not more than 2,500 most probable number (MPN) per 100 ml.
• Dissolved oxygen is not more than 5 mg per litre
• Bio chemical oxygen demand is less than 3 mg per litre
• The pH level-measurement of how acidic the water is, between 6.5 to 8.5.

6. Apart from West Bengal, the water of the Ganga is also unfit for bathing in States such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

7. While, Uttrakhand remains the only exception with 11 stretches of the Ganga being fit for bathing along with Ara town in Bihar.

8. West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) claimed that the State is located at the downstream of the Ganga it receives all the pollutants which accumulates in the river from States in the upstream.

9. A renowned river expert, also pointed out that coliform bacteria, mainly found in sewage, is a major cause for concern due to its large presence in the Ganga.