Land Use/Cover Change Detection and Pollution Along River in

Vishwa Raj Sharma Department of Geography, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi

Abstract: The water quality of Yamuna at the point of its 2. LAND USE CHANGE DETECTION entry into Delhi fits to water quality standards in terms of The LULC data collection, classification and analysis have Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand been done for over a decade (2001-2012) on the basis of LISS (BOD). The BOD level in the Yamuna River has been in the III, Landsat TM/ETM, STRM-DEM, SOI toposheet, from range of 12 to 51 mg/l. The range of Chemical Oxygen various government agencies and organizations. The physical Demand in Delhi varied from 50-155 mg/l. However, during data have been collected from organizations like: Survey of its exit, the water quality becomes unfit for any purpose. Publications, Topographical Map 1:50, 000, National Research paper analyse the present status of the river Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad, Central Yamuna. Despite ongoing research efforts on land-cover and Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and socio- land-use patterns, there remains a need for development of economic data from Census of India Population Totals for basic land-cover datasets providing quantitative, spatial land Delhi, 1991 and 2001; District Statistical Handbooks etc. cover information. With the rapidly growing population in Remote Sensing data and techniques and geographic Delhi, pollution levels are at an all-time high and continue to information systems (GIS) provided efficient methods for become increasingly dangerous to city residents. Delhi is analysis of land use issues and tools for land use planning and subject to pollution in all forms and has been categorized modelling. among the top ten most polluted cities in the world. The pollution of the river Yamuna has a variety of impacts on Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps of 2001 and 2011 were Delhi’s environment. This paper analyzed land use/cover compared. The LULC of the study area had changed (LULC) of the past, present and futuristic modeling along dramatically. Therefore, the data interpretation and data river Yamuna, evaluated Land use/cover Change (LULCC) analysis is based on the comparison of LULC for different on the basis of socio-economic parameters. periods during 20 year period. In the first part population census v/s built-up area were analysed. Furthermore, 1. INTRODUCTION sprawling nature of built-up area and loss of forest and Yamuna is one of the major rivers of India and has social, agricultural land is also noticed. economic and religious significance for vast sections of the population. The total length of the Yamuna from its origin in 3. SOURCES OF POLLUTION the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayan ranges of Uttaranchal to its confluence with the river Ganga at Allahabad in Uttar The domestic pollution is the major source of pollution in Pradesh is 1376 kms of which 22 kms pass through the Yamuna River. About 85% of the total pollution in the river is National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. It enters Delhi at caused by the domestic sources. The domestic pollution is Palla near and leaves Delhi at the . mainly caused by the urban centres. Among cities Delhi is In agriculture front also the Yamuna basin is one of the highly contributing highest amount of domestic waste. The intensity fertile and high food grain yielding basins. of impact of domestic pollution on river depends on the efficiency of the wastewater collection system, type and length All this reflects that the River Yamuna not only flows in the of the waste transportation system. The organic matters and hearts of Indian but also plays a significant role in the micro-organisms are the main constituents of the domestic economy of Barrage. At Wazirabad the river is trapped waste. Besides these, total salts, chlorides, nutrients, through a barrage for drinking water supply to urban detergents, oil and grease etc. are also contributed by the agglomeration at Delhi. From Wazirabad barrage no water is domestic sources. There are numerous unauthorized colonies allowed to flow down particularly during summer, as the in Delhi. Due to non-availability of sewerage system in these available water in the river is not adequate to fulfil the water colonies, the night soil is collected, transported and dumped supply demand of Delhi. The water flows in the Yamuna either in drains, tributaries or directly into river without any River downstream of Wazirabad is the treated, partially treated treatment. During last few years because of proliferation of or untreated domestic & industrial wastewater contributed by Jhuggi Jhonpri settlement this activity increased significantly various drains joining river Yamuna and canal water. and now become a major non-point source of river water pollution.

Energy Technology & Ecological Concerns: A Contemporary Approach ISBN: 978-81-93024-71-3 142 Land Use/Cover Change Detection and Pollution Along River Yamuna in Delhi

Fig. 1. Location of the Study Area

Fig. 2. Land Use/cover Change in Yamuna River

Energy Technology & Ecological Concerns: A Contemporary Approach ISBN: 978-81-93024-71-3 143 Vishwa Raj Sharma

After independence, rapid industrialization occurred in the the fact that the river receives many drains downstream to this Yamuna river basin. There are large clusters of industries location. The possible reason for this trend may be that Okhla established at Delhi neighbouring areas. The categories of Barrage converts river into a big reservoir. industries discharging wastewater into Yamuna river includes Pulp and paper, Sugar, Distilleries, Textiles, Leather, The availability of dissolved oxygen (DO) in river depends on Chemical, Pharmaceuticals, Oil Refineries, Thermal Power rate and period of photosynthesis, its consumption by aquatic Plants, food etc. In order to compliance to the environment flora, fauna and microorganisms, water temperature etc. The laws, it is compulsory for these industries to treat the effluent variations in dissolved oxygen observed may also be because to achieve prescribed standards before discharging effluent of time of the day when it is measured. In aquatic ecosystems, into the environment. the DO usually occur maximum in the afternoon and minimum during night or when the sunlight is less. Therefore, A large portion of the solid waste generated by the changes in DO concentration observed during the study may unauthorized inhabitants all along the bank of Yamuna River also be due to variation in the sampling time. In Yamuna or its tributaries finds its way into the river. The waste River low BOD and low DO was observed more often may be includes domestic waste, waste from dairies, unauthorized due to consumption of oxygen by settled sludge in the slaughtering, flowers and other material used during worships riverbed. The higher DO level at some locations may be due to Caracas of animals etc. The dumping of human and animal low water temperature or eutrophication. After Wazirabad the dead bodies is also sometimes observed in the Yamuna River. DO level falls significantly. Most of the times DO has been Floating of human dead bodies partially eaten by animals and found nil at both Delhi downstream locations, however, the in rotten state are generally observed in the lower part of the DO level was observed meeting the standard at these locations river. Such disposal of dead bodies increases the risk of once during the monsoon season, when there is flood of water pathogenic contamination besides other negative impact. in the river.

The Yamuna’s 22 km stretch in Delhi is barely 2 per cent of Conductivity was at its maximum level in the entire river the length of the river, but contributes over 80 per cent of the stretch during dry seasons and was decreased significantly pollution load. Delhi discharges about 3, 684 MLD (million after getting dilution during rainy seasons. On the basis of litres per day) of sewage through its 18 drains into the annual average, the conductivity was below 300 mhos/cm up Yamuna. Delhi Jal Board mentioned that the river remained a to Hathnikund and exceeded to a level of about 500 mhos/cm sewage canal due to the 143 unauthorised colonies, 1080 upto Palla. In between Wazirabad and the slums and villages that present a problem in collection of annual average of conductivity was in the range of about 650 sewage water that flows into the Yamuna untreated. to 1000 mhos/cm. Maximum conductivity was observed from downstream Okhla barrage till upstream of Chambal 4. WATER QUALITY STATUS confluence and the annual average was in the range of about 650 to 1450 mhos/cm. Maximum conductivity was observed The BOD level in the Yamuna from its origin till Palla has at Agra downstream, where it ranged from 431 to 2290 been observed generally between in the rage of 1-3 mg/l with mhos/cm with annual average of 1135 to 1440 mhos/cm. annual average not exceeding 3 mg/l. This is due to the fact that there is no significant wastewater outfall in the river and 5. SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN WATER QUALITY adequate fresh water available in this river stretch. There has been significant increase in the BOD level downstream The physical characteristics i.e. discharge and drainage area of Wazirabad barrage at Delhi immediately after the biggest Yamuna river varies significantly during non-monsoon drain i.e. joins river Yamuna. However, BOD (January to June and October to December) and monsoon standard has been complied by river water quality at Delhi period (July to September). The seasonal variations indicate after getting sufficient dilution from the tributaries and that in Delhi stretch the DO level was always below the assimilation of the pollution load. At Nizamuddin Bridge, prescribed limit during both the seasons except during the year Delhi the BOD level in the Yamuna River has been in the 2001 when the value just touches the limit at Nizamuddin range of 3 to 51 mg/l with annual average varying from 11 Bridge. The BOD concentration up to Palla was generally mg/l to 24 mg/l. During year 1999 and 2000 the BOD below the standards both in monsoon and non-monsoon concentration was comparatively low at all the locations may periods during all the seven years. Though from Hathnikund be due to rainfall throughout the year in the river catchment to the Nizamuddin Bridge and downstream there was slight area, frequent release of water from barrages and irrigation increase in pH values. In most of the locations the ammonia canal that joins Yamuna River and contribution of low BOD and total nitrogen were reduced during monsoon. load from various STP, significant application of drain water for irrigation etc. At the BOD level has been The maximum average BOD value of about 20.0 mg/l was observed low in comparison to Nizamuddin Bridge, in spite of observed at Nizamuddin Bridge. The ammonia and TKN

Energy Technology & Ecological Concerns: A Contemporary Approach ISBN: 978-81-93024-71-3 144 Land Use/Cover Change Detection and Pollution Along River Yamuna in Delhi

varied in the entire stretch from 0.26 to 14.26 mg/l and 1.17 to People were also interviewed regarding shifting agricultural 20.30 mg/l respectively. The minimum values of both seasons and pattern. Their views are very interesting. Nearly ammonia and TKN were observed at Hathnikund whereas 55 per cent respondents perceived that there is wide maximum was observed at Nizamuddin Bridge. At few transformation in the agricultural pattern. It indicates very locations DO was high even after high BOD concentration, high awareness of people about shift in agricultural pattern. this may be due to persistence of both eutrophic and septic conditions. The COD (SD ranged between 3.15 to 33.25), People were questioned regarding floods. More than 50 per BOD (SD ranged between 0.00 to 10.57), Ammonia (SD cent respondents asserted that risk factor due to floods are ranged between 0.32 to 10.19) and TKN (SD varies from 0.79 very high. It shows that flood is a major problem in Yamuna to 11.06) having low standard deviation at those places which River in Delhi. Many acres of agricultural land is destroyed were relatively clean and high at those locations reflecting every year in this region. Two third of people replied that significant impact of pollution discharges. The standard there is very low livelihood security due to floods in this deviations for DO ranged from 1.0 to 4.2. Higher standard region. Agriculture is very unstable and in subsistence in deviation values of conductivity (ranged between 47 to 533), nature in this region of Yamuna river. There is a great The contribution of these parameters in the Yamuna stretch transformation in land use/cover in this region which has varied significantly with the, space and weather conditions resulted in many types of social problems like unemployment mainly characterized by rainfall. and criminal activities are also on rise. The quality of water of Yamuna River is worse in the Delhi segment. In this segment The data for each monitoring location was categorized into nearly 80 per cent pollution is alone contributed by Delhi. The two on the basis of percentile viz 90 percentile and 10 amount of Biological Oxygen Demand and Dissolved Oxygen percentile. The 90 per cent values for pH were between 7.74 to is very high in Delhi segment of river Yamuna. About 70 per 8.96 whereas, 10 per cent values were between 6.70 to 7.52. cent respondents replied that quality of river water is unfit for For COD and BOD, 90 per cent was in the range of 6 to 107 utilization. Major sources of pollution are discharge of mg/l and 1 to 34 mg/l. Maximum value of 90 percentile for sewerage waste through drains, industries and agro waste etc. both COD and BOD was observed at Nizamudeen People replied that role of government in cleaning river is downstream. The value of 10 percentile for these two negligible. At the same time community participation is also parameters varied for 1 to 29 mg/l and 1 to 7 mg/l lacking to tackle the problem. Yamuna Action Plan I and II respectively. In terms of ammonia and TKN, 90 percentile have totally failed to clean the river. values varied from 0.80 to 27.26 mg/l and 2.01 to 34.68 mg/l. 10 percentile of ammonia and TKN data was in the range of 7. MEASURES TO CONTROL WATER POLLUTION BDL (below detection limit) to 3.82 and 0.16 to 7.06 mg/l. At The Government of India has been implementing Yamuna Nizamuddin Bridge and Agra Canal 90 per cent data were not action plan (YAP) with assistance from Japan international confirming with the standard in terms of DO and at three locations, 10 per cent data reflecting nil. Further, at another cooperation agency, Government of Japan in a phased manner three locations 10 per cent data not meeting the prescribed since 1993. Yamuna Action Plan (YAP -1): YAP-I, which commenced in April, 1993 was completed in February 2003 at limit. For conductivity the 90 and 10 per cent values in the a total cost of Rs. 682 crores covering various pollution entire river stretch were below 154 to 1846 mhos/cm and 45 abatement works, including creation of Sewage Treatment to 506 mhos/cm. capacity of 753.25 million litres per day (MLD). Yamuna Action Plan (YAP -II): YAP-II was approved in 2003 at an 6. RESULT AND DISCUSSION estimated cost of Rs. 624 crores with a completion period of 5 This study is basically based on primary data. People have years. The major items of work in YAP-II such as been questioned on the basis of well-structured questionnaire rehabilitation of sewerage network and Sewage Treatment regarding various socio-economic conditions of study area. Plants (STPs) and construction of new STPs. Yamuna Action People were questioned in three sampling villages Chilla, Plan (YAP- III): the YAP III project for Delhi within Patparganj and Wazirabad. From each village 50 respondents estimated cost of Rs 1656 crores has been approved in 2011. were selected therefore 150 respondents were selected in total. Stratified random sampling was considered most suitable for Majority of rivers of India are facing acute water pollution conducting primary survey. Nearly 33 per cent respondents problems and river Yamuna is one of them. Due to excessive replied that forest area has been converted in to build up area industrialization and urbanization, the River Yamuna and 35 per cent respondents indicated that agriculture land is especially in Delhi, have now become a drain. The water converted in to build up area. 10 per cent people answered that pollution of the river has gained large heights. Now it is forest land is converted in to barren and waste land. Around 7 become imperative to yield a plan identifying viable remedial per cent respondents said that agriculture land is transformed options and strategies for the Yamuna River clean up. Efforts in to barren land. Nearly 15 per cent respondents replied that will be made to resort to a bottom-up approach rather than a agricultural and forest land is converted in to water logged. top-down one to help this highly polluted river, which is the

Energy Technology & Ecological Concerns: A Contemporary Approach ISBN: 978-81-93024-71-3 145 Vishwa Raj Sharma

major life-supporting artery of Delhi, and many other cities in signboard messages to prevent people from tossing things into India. To apply the strategies effectively, we need to develop the Yamuna. Despite that almost everyday people throw awareness among masses, education, and improved watershed flowers and religious materials in the river, which creates management that will improve the water quality of this holy pollution. Help of different volunteer organizations and river. Some of the important measures that can be very NGO’s should be taken to launch campaign and create effective in improving Yamuna water quality status are as awareness. Print media and electronic media can play a major follows. role in creating awareness and urging people not to throw garbage and other pollutants in rivers. • Wastewater can be recycled through effective technologies and can be reused for various purposes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Improvement in sewage system can prevent the seepage Author is very thankful to CPCB (Central Pollution Control of sewerage water into rivers. Board) for providing valuable data. • Farmers should use bio-fertilizers instead of fertilizers and pesticides. REFERENCES

• Efforts should be made to prevent the loss of plantation along the banks of the river as it will help in preventing [1] CPCB, (1999-2000), Water Quality Status of Yamuna soil erosion. River. ADSORBS/ 32, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, India. • Formulation of strict rules and regulations and their effective implementation to control the pollution in river. [2] CPCB, (2003-2012). Status of Water Quality of River Yamuna and Drains Adjoining River Yamuna in Delhi, • Proper Management and Treatment of Wastewater Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, India,

• Conserve Water and Use it Effectively (unpublished).

• Drainage Water Management and Treatment [3] CPCB, (2003), Status of Sewage Treatment Plants in • Financing Wastewater Management Schemes Ganga Basins, Probes 54 2002-2003. • Improving the Sewerage System [4] CPCB, (2005), Status of Sewerage and Sewage • Upgrading of Sewage Treatment Plant Treatment Plants in Delhi. CVPS/57/2004-05. • Proper Disposal of Sewage [5] CSE, (2009), State of Pollution in Yamuna, Centre for • Formation of Public Toilets science and environment, Delhi, India. • Formation of Electric Crematorium and Create Awareness [6] Delhi the Biggest Culprit, (1997) Down to Earth, Vol. • Formation of Holy Bathing Ponds 5, No. 19970228. [7] Water Quality Status of Yamuna River (1999-2005), 8. CONCLUSION Assessment and Development of River Basin Series, Prevention of Yamuna river pollution cannot be achieved available at ADSORBS/41/2006- 7, CPCB. without people’s participation. Therefore it’s important to http://www.cpcb. nic. in/new items/11.pdf, accessed create awareness among the people regarding the way river during December 2012. pollution is occurring and its related consequences. People [8] WHO, (1985), Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. should be taught various means to be adopted to reduce the Vol 3. pp 108-115. increasing pollution levels in the river. In Delhi, state [9] Yamuna Action Plan, (2003). government has formed 10 feet high wire barricades along all http://www.wwfenvis.nic. in/pdf/yam.pdf. Yamuna bridge under the Yamuna Action Plan I with

Energy Technology & Ecological Concerns: A Contemporary Approach ISBN: 978-81-93024-71-3 146