'GOVT CAN'T BE BLAMED ENTIRELY'

CONSERVATION expert, founding director of Delhi University's Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems and former Delhi University pro vice-chancellor, Professor CR Babu (he is also considered to be the brainchild behind the biodiversity parks in Delhi) shares his insights on the cleaning of Yamuna.

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How have the biodiversity parks helped Yamuna over the years?

The seven biodiversity parks have recharged over a million gallons of water since the monsoon of 2021. This means they have treated water worth Rs 2,000 crore.

Which is the most polluted part of the Yamuna river?

The Yamuna's stretch downstream of the Wazirabad barrage in Delhi is severely contaminated and unsuitable for aquatic life. Wazirabad Barrage to Okhla Barrage - 22 km stretch of Yamuna in Delhi accounts for a major pollution in the river. Wazirabad is otherwise not polluted but the pollution comes from Haryana upstream. There is high ammonia content in the water, although these days ammonia can be converted into nitrogen gas.

Which is the most polluted part of the Yamuna river?