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Environmentalist (2006) 26: 111122
DOI 10.1007/s10669-006-7481-1Revival of Mathuras ailing Yamuna riverDevendra S. BhargavaSpringer Science + Business Media, LLC 2006Abstract The quality restoration of any river, especially of
the Yamuna at Mathura, a religious center in India, is a very
complex and interdisciplinary endeavor. River pollution cannot be minimized merely by diverting the routes of drains
carrying wastewaters and/or establishing sewage treatment
plants. The required strategy for pollution control should not
only be a multi-line approach but also be fool proof. The various sources of pollution in the Yamuna river and possible
strategies to restore this ailing river to its pristine status are
presented in this paper.On the importance of the Yamuna at MathuraThe river Yamuna has been acclaimed as a holy river (next to
Ganga) in Indian mythology. Yamuna aachaman (rinsing the
mouth with holy water) at Vishram ghat (bathing platform)
is considered the surest way of salvation, and pilgrims from
as far off a place as Gujrat carry its holy water in sealed
vessels for religious functions. Yamuna poojan (worship)
is considered a must for candidates contesting elections in
Mathura (HT, 2004a). On all auspicious festivals, pilgrims
first take a ritualistic dip at ghats before paying obeisance to
the deities in temples. Despite such importance, most ghats
however are ruined or near extinction (HT, 2004c).The Yamuna originates from the Yamnotri glacier in the
Lower Himalaya at an elevation of about 6380 m above sea
level. The river with its total flow length of 1376 km travels through a number of historical, religious and large cities,
viz. Delhi, Fariadabad, Vrindaban, Mathura, Agra, Kalpi andD. S. Bhargava ([envelopeback])Former Professor (Environmental Engineering & Pollution
Control) of Roorkee University, Bhargava lane, Devpura,
Haridwar 249401, India
Allahabad where it merges into the Ganga. Yamunas water
quality in the Himalayan segment and in the segment after
confluence with the Chambal river is relatively good (Bhargava, 1983b, 1985c). However, because of the removal of
large volumes of water and discharge of pollutants into the
river system the water quality in the Delhi segment and next
highly eutrophicated segment is critical. At Delhi, heavy discharges of untreated domestic sewage and non-availability of
dilution, has degraded the quality in the downstream stretch
of the river. The Yamuna is used for surface water supply...