In a significant move to combat river pollution, the Delhi government is set to deploy innovative, eco-friendly methods to treat contaminated water flowing into the Yamuna. The plan involves using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to purify water in several major drains before it merges with the river.
What Are Nature-Based Solutions?
The initiative, which received formal approval from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) last week, focuses on in-situ, or on-site, treatment of raw sewage. Instead of relying solely on energy-intensive mechanical plants, the project will utilize natural elements like rock filters, stone masonry, and specific aquatic plants to cleanse the water. This approach aligns with the United Nations Environment Programme's definition of NbS as actions that protect and restore ecosystems to address environmental challenges while boosting biodiversity and human well-being.
Targeted Drains and Implementation Plan
The pilot project will be implemented in four key drains across the capital: Shastri Park, Gaushala, Kailash Nagar, and Ramesh Nagar. An official from the Union Jal Shakti ministry clarified that this green initiative is an additional measure to complement the ongoing work of setting up new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and upgrading existing infrastructure. The official also highlighted that the success of this NbS model in Delhi could pave the way for its replication in other polluted cities across India.
A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Strategy
Authorities consider Nature-based Solutions to be one of the most sustainable and cost-effective methods for ecosystem restoration. The concept is not entirely new to India; the government has been working to scale it up over the past few years. Its importance was notably underscored in the Union Budget for 2023-24. Following this focus, the central government also launched the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Income) scheme to conserve mangroves, which act as natural bio-shields and carbon sinks.
The NMCG, as the central nodal agency for rejuvenating the Ganga and its tributaries, made the decisive move to deploy NbS in Delhi's drains last week. This marks a crucial step in integrating ecological engineering with traditional engineering to tackle the persistent problem of water pollution in the national capital region.
