Archive · 25 Sep 2025
CPCB Report: River Pollution Levels Across India
Imagine rivers are like people's homes.
The CPCB checks if these 'homes' are clean.
They found that many rivers are polluted, with 296 stretches being unsafe.
If the water has too much 'stuff' that needs to be broken down (BOD over 3), it is considered polluted.
The worst pollution spots are called Priority I. The government has a program, Namami Gange, to clean up the Ganga and improve river conditions.
Major pollution sources include untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and activities like mining.
CPCB assessed water quality data, finding 296 polluted river stretches across India.
37 stretches were classified as Priority I (most polluted).
Maharashtra has the highest number of polluted stretches.
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) is a key indicator of river water quality.
The Namami Gange Programme aims to improve the Ganga's water quality and ecological state.
- Who
- CPCB
- What
- Released an assessment report on river pollution.
- When
- Report released Monday (September 22nd) using data from 2022 and 2023
- Where
- 296 river stretches across 32 states and Union Territories in India
- Why
- To assess and monitor the water quality of rivers in India.
- Polluted River Stretches
- 296 across 32 states/UTs
- Most Polluted Stretches (Priority I)
- 37
- Maharashtra
- Highest number of polluted river stretches (54)
- BOD Threshold for Pollution
- Exceeding 3 mg/L
- Namami Gange Programme
- Launched in 2014