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Vowing to put an end to pollution of Yamuna in Delhi, a group of active collegiates have begun an ambitious campaign. We for Yamuna, a voluntary organisation of students, has launched a campaign to check the further degeneration of the river.
A victim of industrial as well as domestic and sewage waste from Delhi, the Yamuna contains no living organisms where it is stagnant. All that remains is a stinking drain of chemical effluents, polythene bags, dead bodies and household waste.

We for Yamuna is led by Mr Vimelendu Jha, an ex-Stephenian, who woke up to the plight of Yamuna last year, when he went on an assignment to earthquake-struck area Chamoli. Determined to do something for Delhi, he started this crusade. Moreover, since this is the International Year of Volunteers, the UN has willingly provided them with its logo.

"We want to make a difference by making everyone realise the actual condition in which we are surviving. Our aim is to sensitise people about what they can do to change the prevailing state of the river," says Mr Jha.

A part of the project is to visit schools, colleges and corporate houses to spread awareness and raise funds. In schools, students are asked to draw an ideal picture of river Yamuna, which results in pretty pictures of the river with beautiful scenery all around it.

The children are then given a shock treatment, which includes a boat ride in Yamuna, where they witness the filthy and dismal state of the river. After that a drawing competition is held again, where the students portray the true state of the river.

However, in colleges, the group makes presentations along with skits. So far they have been to Blue Bells, Birla Vidya Niketan and LSR. They also held a photo-exhibition at the St Stephen's College from November 14 to 16, where they displayed the miserable state of Yamuna through the photographs taken by 14-year-old Sahir Raza, who now has become an active participant.

Not being a registered group, they do find difficulties in raising funds. So far, they make paper bags and sell them. But only recently have they managed to get contributions from the Dalmias and Wahindia.com. "As the campaign is gaining ground, more and more people are willing to co-operate and help, that surely is a good sign," says an optimistic Mr Jha.

Says Ms Shabnam Abbas, an active volunteer, ``I felt something should be done for society and couldn't stop myself from being a part of it. I believe, it's very important for students to divert their energy in the right direction and this is the best way to do it."

You can also be a part of the campaign simply by limiting the use of polythene, using eco-friendly products like jute and paper bags, biodegradable detergents, encouraging rainwater harvesting, installing water saving devices, etc. Even if you can't participate you can help them by making posters and paper bags.

Court’s wake-up call on Yamuna pollution fails to move Delhi Govt
New Delhi, January 18 (Aradhana Kalia)

Checking pollution in the Yamuna does not seem to be a priority with the government. Or so it seems after observing the pace adopted by the Delhi Government in checking the industrial effluents finding their way into the river.
Foundation stone for the second Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) was laid with much fanfare today. This was the second of the 15 CETPs to be set up in the Capital following the Supreme Court order on cleaning of the Yamuna.

While some water polluting industries have been penalised for not installing Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP), the government seems to have taken the setting up of the CETPs lightly. Delhi Industries Minister Narendra Nath is not even sure if all the industrial estates need to have CETPs.

"The court has asked all the water polluting units to set up ETP and if the water discharged from these meets the river standards then we will not have to set up CETPs," said Dr Nath. However, experts from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) disagree. "In the available land and expertise individual units can only manage to meet sewage standards," said a scientist.

As per the Supreme Court's order 15 CETPs have to be set up throughout the city to treat industrial effluents. Setting up of these plants is to be a joint effort, with the government and industries splitting the cost.

"Water polluting units have to pay 20 per cent of the share upfront and the remaining 30 per cent after the construction begins," said Mr J P Singh, managing director, Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation. He said that only six of the 15 industrial estates had so far paid up their 20 per cent share. "We can begin work once this initial amount of money was paid up," he elaborated.

In September last year, the Supreme Court had ordered that all the industrial units should send their contributions to the Delhi Government for setting up of combined treatment plants within four weeks.

The apex court had observed that the units should be closed down if they fail to make the payments within the stipulated timeframe.

The DPCC was asked to seal the units with the help of the State Government. However, no action has been taken against these units so far. As per conservative estimates, there are over 5,000 water polluting units, which are yet to pay up their share for the CETPs.

We cannot do it on our own as it would lead to a law and order problem, said a DPCC functionary. "We tried to shut down about 1,000 units which had not set up the ETPs and were faced with a problem how can we close down 5000-odd without the government's help." DPCC chairman Rajiv Talwar, however, pointed said that there was no need to shut down the defaulting units as the government had decided to make the entire payment to start the construction of the plants. "It will later be recovered from the units," Mr Talwar said.

"So far there is no such plan. If at all we decide to take this course of action then an ordinance will have to be cleared by the Cabinet," said the Industries Minister.
Source : The Hindustan Times. January 19, 2000

Please contact the ‘We For Yamuna’ team or Mr. Rajeev Singh at 4628877, ext-256/404/347 or 4629252 or email us at weforyamuna@yahoo.com or you could come visit us at : - UNDP/UNV 55, Lodi estate. New delhi-110003