NEW DELHI: Time was when the Yamuna was a revered river and people from far and near gathered to take a dip in its waters, in Delhi, on every celestial event and festival. The French traveller, Francois Bernier, who witnessed a solar eclipse here in 1666, notes: "I took my station on the terrace of my house, situated on the banks of the Gemna, when I saw both shores of the river, for nearly a league (5.6 km) in length, covered with gentiles or idolaters, who stood in the water up to the waist".

There is a river that is almost perennial, but its water is not potable and fish inedible. It’s not even used for bathing and washing by people.

This is the story of the once-pristine Vrushabhavathi and the twenty-odd villages under the Byramangala gram panchayat, including Byramangala, Kodiyala Karenahalli, Kodihalli, Chikkakuntahalli, Maravegowdana Doddi, Joganapalya, which have become receptacles for Bangalore’s sewage. According to the 2001 census, 7,654 persons lived in the 20 villages. The population is currently estimated to have crossed 11,000. The problem has persisted for over two decades now with a huge portion of Bangalore’s sewage routed through Vrushabhavathi to reach Shimsha and eventually Cauvery, passing through these villages.

MARGAO: The Goa State Pollution Control Board and Health officials on Thursday inspected waste water discharged in the fields at Colva on Thursday.

Following a complaint from activist Judith Almeida, Goa State Pollution Control Board and health officials descended at Colva and collected water samples from the fields and storm water drains. Almeida said that sewage waste is being discharged in the drains, which has now found its way in the fields, which then flows into the Colva creek.

A Parliamentary panel has criticised the Environment Ministry for its “business as usual passing the buck approach” towards the high level of pollution in the country’s rivers.

The Committee on Estimates which met under the Chairmanship of MLA Handwara, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan to take stock of the measures being taken for the protection and conservation of the world fam

It seems the seriousness of the Central and State government about conservation of environment and water bodies lie only on papers.

Expressing “anguish” over the fact that Yamuna water in Delhi had become filthy despite thousands of crores being spent to improve its quality, the Supreme Court today said it was perhaps time to i

Untreated sewage allowed to flow into the rivers has been identified as a major reason for polluting country’s rivers, including the Yamuna.

The sewage chamber catering to locals and residents of a Mhada colony in Khernagar, Bandra (E), has been left "broken" for a month now, with the civic body having made no attempts to repair it.

Thames Water has been fined £6000 at Basingstoke Magistrates Court for polluting the Bishopswood Stream in Tadley.