Water Quality
Urbanization and development activities, land degradation, and inadequate infrastructure for wastewater disposal are major reasons that lead to rapid deterioration in water quality in the majority of rivers, streams, and lakes in India. According to CPCB during 2005-06, of 115 sewage treatment plants in major Indian States 35% continued to discharge polluted water beyond the stipulated norms. Inter-sectoral impacts may also arise when industrial effluents flow directly to agricultural land, affecting soil and groundwater while possible contaminating drinking water wells.
Apart from the above seawater intrusion into freshwater aquifers in coastal regions impact freshwater availability and usage. Surface water sources like rivers and lakes face a greater danger of biological contamination due to high pollution loads.
Increase in solid waste and e-waste
One key challenge is the rapidly increasing amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Indian cities. The annual estimates from various studies suggest that MSW generation in India ranges between 40 MT and 55 MT. Along with the increase in waste generation there is also change in the composition of waste generation. Plastic waste is a growing environmental concern.
Additionally, changing lifestyles, increase in economic status and activities, has resulted in increased generation of e-waste, which is negatively affecting India’s ecological system and posing a significant challenge to sustainable development. One related issue in this regard is the trans- boundary movement of e- waste. These wastes contain lead, cadmium and mercury, which end up in landfill and water resources contaminating soil, air and groundwater, and if not properly recycled pose adverse impact to human health. The current practices of e-waste management in India face a new set of challenges that need serious attention.
Urbanization and development activities, land degradation, and inadequate infrastructure for wastewater disposal are major reasons that lead to rapid deterioration in water quality in the majority of rivers, streams, and lakes in India. According to CPCB during 2005-06, of 115 sewage treatment plants in major Indian States 35% continued to discharge polluted water beyond the stipulated norms. Inter-sectoral impacts may also arise when industrial effluents flow directly to agricultural land, affecting soil and groundwater while possible contaminating drinking water wells.
Apart from the above seawater intrusion into freshwater aquifers in coastal regions impact freshwater availability and usage. Surface water sources like rivers and lakes face a greater danger of biological contamination due to high pollution loads.
Increase in solid waste and e-waste
One key challenge is the rapidly increasing amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Indian cities. The annual estimates from various studies suggest that MSW generation in India ranges between 40 MT and 55 MT. Along with the increase in waste generation there is also change in the composition of waste generation. Plastic waste is a growing environmental concern.
Additionally, changing lifestyles, increase in economic status and activities, has resulted in increased generation of e-waste, which is negatively affecting India’s ecological system and posing a significant challenge to sustainable development. One related issue in this regard is the trans- boundary movement of e- waste. These wastes contain lead, cadmium and mercury, which end up in landfill and water resources contaminating soil, air and groundwater, and if not properly recycled pose adverse impact to human health. The current practices of e-waste management in India face a new set of challenges that need serious attention.
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