RIVER POLLUTION & QUALITATIVE DILAPIDATION OF WATERRESOURCES IN GUJARAT

Abstract

Indian subcontinent has its own hydrological importance in the world as it is one of the most densely
populated regions of the world, hosting ∼23% of the global population within only ∼3% of the world’s
land area. It encompasses one of the glob’s largest river systems of world with many peculiar rivers.
These rivers remain the prime sources not only for agrarian & industrial water demands but also to
build up critically required groundwater reserves i.e. aquifers. From Indian context these rivers are
endowed with rich water resources, encompassing about 45000 km long riverine systems criss-cross
the length and breadth of the country with 20 major river basins, 46 medium river basins and 14
minor/desert river basins. This is one face of the coin, while the other face releases apprehensions
towards factors like judicious utilization/conservation/management of river water at one end while
assessing and mitigating various kinds of pollutions of river water bodies on other end. Rapidly
increasing population, intensive agricultural operations, rising standards of living, exponential growth
of industrialization and urbanisation have exposed water resources, in general, and rivers, in particular,
to greater degrees of pollution. Under such scenario looking into the recent threats of climate change,
the rivers flowing in and around industrial areas/commercial agricultural interventions, demands
pressing evaluations in regards to quantitative as well as qualitative pollution of river water bodies.
Present paper describe an updated status of river pollution in regards to Gujarat, the most leading
industrial state of country by incorporating probable influences , causes and effects of surface water as
well ground water resources in the region. It is evident from the findings of various researchers that the
conjunctive consequences of over exploitation/ deterioration of surface & ground water resources
tends to pollute not only the rivers but the underground water bodies too. Considering this point of
view, the theme of this write up is set as “river water pollution” where an attempt is made to overviewthe issue with its causes , effects and probable solutions and food for thought . A thin volume of stuff
towards national scenario is opted , followed by an in depth updated statue of water resources of
Gujarat state being more inclined towards pollution of major rivers of Gujarat and also the adjacent
bodies of surface and groundwater resources. It could be of some utilities for water resources manager,
engineers, environmental experts, field officers, planners and policy makers.