The Yamuna River in Delhi is one that is on the edge of surviving! In the early 20th century, the Yamuna River was described to be clear blue. However, due to the high density of population and rapid industrialization, today Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Only 2% of the river flows through New Delhi between Wazirabad and Okhla yet the city contributed about 76% of the total pollution load in the river.

The more we keep waiting for someone to do something, the more the river is polluted and destroyed. We seem to treat rivers like trashcans and throw all kinds of items, chemicals, and wastes in rivers such as plastics, sewage, God's idols which are covered in harmful chemicals. We may call the river 'Holy' however, we don't treat it like so. The end result of polluting the river is if people go in there to bathe or many who drink water from the river, are very likely to get infected with various diseases from this pollution. The environment is a part of us and we need to do everything we can to help it survive. One way to solve this is to do continuous, in-situ sewerage water quality monitoring systems without human intervention which will provide real-time data on water quality’s health. With advances in technology, this is now a possibility and is cost-effective. And then regulate the incoming pollutants with measures based on these readings. 

For example, in Beijing, due to air pollution, they shifted factories (temporarily) and used a monitor like this to check the pollution levels. If they become higher, they immediately shut down factories and banned anything (temporarily) that can cause more people to get sick from the polluted air. The main issue for the pollution of the river is us. We throw all sorts of things and items in the river and even after we do so, we call the river 'Holy' How can you call it that and continue to destroy it? Polluting the river further leads to the formation of toxic froth that is full of residential and industrial waste whose foul stench could be smelt from a distance. This increases as time goes and in huge amounts. Many people bathe in the river as well as drink the water because they don't have fresh water available. With effects such as the toxic foam being formed, if people drink from or bathe in the water, they will get infected by various diseases and thus will die. 

Another issue is the fact that nobody plans for sewage when they plan for water. For instance, the city government plans to supply another 630 mld of water as soon as Uttar Pradesh releases water from the Tehri dam to the city's Sonia Vihar water treatment plant. In other terms, 3,510 mld water treatment capacity will now be available to the city, and each citizen will get 250 litres per capita daily (lpcd). The waste this water will create is still unaccounted for.

Saving the river takes a lot of time people. As a member of this society, it is our responsibility to work together and address the issue and take it forward. Even a small step can help a long way. You can do the following to help stop pollution in the river. Let's help protect the Yamuna River that has done so much for us.

• Pick up litter and garbage by hand, and take it to your personal garbage can before it travels into local waterways.
• Never put chemicals down the drain. Place them into your outside garbage can or take them to the local authorized centre.
• Wash your car where the water and soap can go to a dirt or grass area instead of a street and drain to the river or creek.
• Don't waste the freshwater available to you.
• Sewage waste management alone can account for 70% of the pollution in the river.
• Spreading awareness to others can help them become more informed and active in protecting the Yamuna River.

In conclusion, the Yamuna river is very special and important to everyone in India. We need to do everything we can to save it. By signing this, we will be able to send a message to the government about what we want to do. Please support us to help save our 'Holy river'.