Crisis on Gomti Declining Oxygen Threatens Aquatic Life

Lucknow’s Gomti River faces an environmental crisis as sewage water chokes its waterways, significantly diminishing dissolved oxygen levels and jeopardizing the riverine ecosystem. The dire situation has been attributed to the relentless discharge of effluents, exacerbating pollution levels and endangering aquatic life along a 25-kilometer stretch of the river.

A recent survey conducted by Professor Dutta of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, in conjunction with a media-led reality check, has unveiled the severity of the issue. Findings reveal a significant decline in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, a critical parameter for sustaining aquatic fauna, particularly in regions near Gaughat. The survey highlighted alarming DO levels, with measurements indicating a decline from 9.5 to 12 mg/l, considered optimal for aquatic life, to as low as 2.8 mg/l at Kudiyaghat. Further downstream, DO levels are anticipated to plummet even lower, potentially reaching between 0 and 1 mg/l, posing a grave threat to the survival of fish and other river species.

The deteriorating water quality has been exacerbated by the proliferation of water hyacinth and ineffective water management practices, including channelization and stagnant conditions resulting from water diversions at Gaughat. Such conditions have created an inhospitable environment for aquatic organisms, leading to mass suffocation and endangering the delicate balance of the river ecosystem.

Concerns have been raised regarding the efficacy of the Namami Gange project in mitigating river pollution, particularly in light of continued untreated sewage discharge from 38 drains into the Gomti River. Despite purported efforts to divert sewage to treatment plants, untreated waste continues to contaminate the river, exacerbating environmental degradation.

In response to the crisis, experts advocate for comprehensive measures to address sewage pollution, promote water reuse initiatives, and enhance water circulation management to restore the natural balance of the Gomti River ecosystem. Urgent action is imperative to safeguard the health and vitality of this vital water resource for the community and future generations.