CPCB Report on Contaminated River Locations

Regarding the CPCB Report on Contaminated River Locations:

What is it?

A countrywide evaluation by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) regarding the condition of rivers.

Employs Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as an indicator of organic pollution.

BOD > 3 mg/L → unsuitable for bathing and BOD > 30 mg/L → Priority-1 (heavily polluted).

(2023 vs 2022):

Contaminated Locations – Decreased from 815 (2022) to 807 (2023).

Contaminated River Segments (CRS) – 296 CRS spanning 271 rivers (decreased from 311 across 279 rivers in 2022).

By state – Maharashtra (54) has the highest PRS, followed by Kerala (31), with MP and Manipur (18 each), and Karnataka (14).

Priority-1 Stretches – Decreased to 37 (2023) from 45 (2022).

Network Monitoring – 4,736 sites comprising rivers, lakes, canals, and drains.