State Bureau, New Delhi. Spraying of chemicals has been stopped to eliminate foam in Yamuna. Environmentalists were opposing the spraying that was going on since mid-October. There was a demand for its closure on the argument that prolonged spraying would damage the river's ecosystem. Spraying has been stopped, but the situation of pollution in the river continues.
The problem of foam arises in Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj. Toxic foam keeps floating on the surface. For the last few years, Delhi Jal Board has been spraying chemicals to remove foam during Chhath Puja. Earlier it was closed after a few days. This time spraying was going on continuously since October 15. Environmentalists are demanding permanent steps to clean the river, saying it is harmful to the ecosystem.
Earth Warriors founder Pankaj Kumar had last week written a letter to DPCC, Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister informing them about its losses and demanding its closure. He wrote in the letter that it is clear from many studies that excessive use of silicone based deformers causes serious harm.
Due to continuous spraying, there is a lack of oxygen in the water due to the formation of a layer of hydrophobic film on the surface of the river. This causes harm to aquatic life. Along with water, soil also gets polluted. He says that after the complaint, spraying has been stopped for the last five days, but a large quantity of chemical has been poured on the banks of the river. This is harmful.
Environmentalists say that the main reason for pollution in Yamuna is lack of water and filth falling from drains. To remove pollution, along with increasing the flow of water, dirt falling into the river will have to be stopped. DPCC should also regularly release data related to river pollution. After October, neither the pollution figures of Yamuna nor the drains falling into it have been released.
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