Should the Government Spend Money to Control Water Pollution in India - Term Paper Example

The issue India is one of the most populous countries in the world. Eighty percent of untreated sewage is directed towards the nation’s rivers. This has been polluting the main source of water for millions of people. Cities in India produce approximately 40,000 million liters of raw sewage each day. Approximately 20% of this is treated. The remaining part is either released to rivers or seeped into the groundwater. Weak laws, rapid development of urban areas, and lack of awareness among the residents has escalated the problem. This is a major issue to the Indian population because untreated sewage is killing Indian rivers. Research indicates that only 160 out of eight thousands town has sewerage systems and treatment plant (Gopal and Anil 169). This has put the lives of the residents at a very high risk of getting infected with diseases that are associated with consuming untreated water. Many factories are dumping their treated affluent into rivers. The mixture of toxic waste with fresh water is very lethal. Various laboratory tests conducted in different rivers across the country reveals that water being consumed by the people has a high level of nitrate and lead levels. Many of the people have been affected by heavy metals in the water. The government is therefore being forced to set a huge budget towards treating diseases that emanates from this problem. Global issue Currently, the world is crumpling with the increasing levels of global warming. Many measures have been put in place in order to reduce the level of environmental pollution. However, many countries have failed to put in place the necessary mechanisms to reduce the level of green gas emission to the atmosphere. Various global meetings have been held in order to resolve the issues. However, lack of political support from developed countries has made the effort to be futile. On the other hand, water pollution is threatening the existence of rare aquatic species in the world. Majority of Indian’s rivers ends up in the ocean (Helmer and Ivanildo 303). Therefore, failure to arrest the situation before it get out of hand will have a major impact on the aquatic life of major oceans which cuts across the world. Furthermore, India plays a significant role on the global platform. Many non-governmental organizations have been giving aid to the country in order to improve the living standards of the people. However, if the issue of water pollution is not addressed, the effort will end up being futile. Relevant to your audience The problem of water pollution can act as a case study to Bahrain. Environmentalist warned the government officials to come up with the necessary laws and regulations to protect the water resources. However, due to their political and economic interests, these calls fell on deaf ears. During this time, the country was putting up mechanisms to attract foreign investors with the aim of creating employment and diversifying the source of revenue for the government. However, the administration was not willing to set up laws which will limit the operations of these companies in order not to put off the potential investors (Razzaque 138). Nevertheless, this played a significant role in creating the current problem which requires the intervention of the local government and non-governmental organizations in order to protect the lives of the people. Relevant to the world current situation The world is racing behind time to salvage the remaining natural resources and organism from the threat of becoming extinct. Global environmental bodies such as UNEP are almost being overwhelmed by the current duties to protect the water resources and reclaim rivers in various parts of the world. With the increasing levels of industrialization, the world is starting to realize the demerits of not putting up the necessary checks and balances to protect the natural resources. Many parts of the world have experienced a decrease in the number of fish and other aquatic organisms, an aspect that has created an environmental balance. Furthermore, water pollution has led to growth of water hyacinth in different water bodies (Chakraborty and Kakali 142). This has been threatening the existence of water organisms due to depletion of oxygen by these plants. As a result, the world is already overwhelmed with various responsibilities of restoring the lost glory of various water resources. Therefore, the Indian situation is critical to the world population especially putting into perspective the level of population in this country. In addition, the magnitude of pollution of Indian rivers is of great concern to thousands of people who depend on these rivers either directly or indirectly for their existence. Relevant for immediate action The Ganges is one of the India’s’ holiest rivers. It is mainly considered as a source of spiritual purification. However, the river is the world’s most polluted. Approximately 400 million people depend on this river for their livelihood. According to World Health Organization, approximately 0.4 million people lose their lives due to consumption of polluted water in India. In addition, water pollution contributes to 60 years of ill-health by the local population. Furthermore, the social-economic costs of water pollution are very high. For instance, approximately 1.5 million children who are under five years of age die each year as a result of water related diseases. In addition, 200 million persons’ days of work are lost each year. The country also loses approximately Rs 366 billion each year from water related diseases. Research indicates that the country loses approximately Rs 6 billion which is directed towards treatment of water-related diseases (Brebbia and Carmo 67). On the other hand, poor sanitation and water quality results to loss of 30.5 million disabilities adjusted life years. The statistics indicate that there is an urgent need to solve the problem in order to save life. Moreover, the Indian government is burdened by the pollution problem. Money that could have been directed towards improving the current infrastructure and start projects that would create employment especially for the young generation is directed towards treatment of water-related diseases. Therefore, in order to eradicate poverty levels especially in shanties, there is an urgent need for the government and non-governmental organization to spend more money to control water pollution in India. Historical Context Historical perspective Historical aspect of water pollution in India can be traced back to colonial times. British India had laws that protected the environment. However, after India gained its independence, various amendments were made with no specific focus on water pollution. Industries took this opportunity to channel their wastes in water resources in order to reduce their costs of production which could have increased by treating the waste materials. The country enacted the Water Act (1974, Water Cess Act (1977), and the Environment Protection Act of 1988 Progress made in addressing the issue The government has approached the pollution issue through legislation-based command. On the other hand, the control measures have been carried out through the support of various interventions from the central government. The government has also used various fiscal incentives to control water pollution. This is through offering the polluters with tax exceptions options. The government has also implemented various programs aimed at informing the people on the need to participate in the campaign against water pollution. However, lack of political goodwill has made it hard for the success to be achieved (Managi and Surender 52). This is because some of the firms that pollute the water resources are linked to powerful politicians. Global Context State of the issue in the global context With the increasing levels of globalization, countries have been interconnected. Initially, environmental issue was being perceived as an issue affected few countries. However, this is no longer the case. A case in one country has a direct effect on other countries. For instance, water pollution in the ocean levels has a major impact on economies that depend on fishing such as Japan. In addition, the economic challenges that are emanating from water pollution have a direct impact on Indian trading partners (Aslam and Masood 96). Therefore, in order to solve this issue, a holistic approach from the local and international governments is needed. In addition, non-governmental organizations should look at the issue from all dimensions in order to come up with long-lasting solutions. Solutions by other countries The United States has imposed heavy fines to any person or firm found polluting a water resource. Through the Clean Water Act, the US government has been able to control the level of pollution in its coastline. This has been significant in enabling the administration to reclaim back the water resources. The UK government used the awareness campaigns to reduce water pollution in the country. A group of Britons formed a group called Surfers against Sewage which forced the government to act and clean up the water resources. The agitated for stiffer laws to protect the resources and heavy penalties to protect those found guilty of the offense (Rajvaidya and Dilip 57). In other countries, local lobby groups have played a significant role in forcing the government to set up the necessary measures to protect the water resources. Possible Solutions On a personal levels, Indians should stop cleaning or bathing in the rivers and other water sources. In addition, they should stop dumping various wastes in the rivers. Instead, they should take a personal responsibility in ensuring that the rivers and other water sources in the country remains clean from any form of pollutants. The lobby groups should use their power to enlighten the people on the importance of protecting the water resources. In addition, they should pile pressure on the government to implement the existing laws. In addition, they should campaign against some of the outdated cultural and religious practices that are carried out in the rivers (Singh and Ram 419). This would play a significant role in conserving the water resources. The local and national governments should put stern measures to protect the water resources. This is through putting in place stiff penalties to all those found guilty of violating the law. This would deter the local population and firms from polluting water resources in the country. In addition, the international governments should offer financial and scientific support to the country in order to tackle the problem. In addition, the Indian government should amend its foreign policy especially one related to foreign investor in order to prevent them from exploiting the opportunity to invest in the country without taking part in environmental protection (Manivanan 92). Role of International agreement Indian government should review its international agreements especially with its neighboring countries. This is to ensure that all other affected countries participate in solving the problem. This is to reduce the burden of cleaning the water resources to the Indian authority. Responsibility of developed countries to developing countries Major challenges facing developing countries results from the activities of developed countries. For instance, majority of the multinational companies that pollutes Indian rivers are from developed countries. They usually transfer their returns to these countries. As a result, these countries have a responsibility of helping the country in resolving this problem. The issue as it relates to Bahrain The Bahrain coastline is very significant to the Bahraini people. Besides supporting the country’s economy, it supports a range of marine organisms which are important for the wider ecosystem. However, oil pollution and sewerage from industrial activities are threatening the marine life in the country. Although there are laws and regulations that are aimed at protecting the country’s water resources, they need to be developed and strengthened. However, in case the issues are not dealt with as a matter of urgency, the country will end up as India. This will have a major impact on the growth of the economy. Works Cited Aslam, Mohd, and Masood Alam. Removal of Heavy Metals and Ground Water Pollution in Delhi, India: Water Pollution. Saarbrücken: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2011. Print. Brebbia, C A, and J S. A. Carmo. Water Pollution Viii: Modelling, Monitoring and Management. Southampton: WIT, 2006. Print. Chakraborty, D., and Kakali Mukhopadhyay. Water Pollution and Abatement Policy in India: A Study from an Economic Perspective. N.p., 2014. Print. Gopal, Krishna, and Anil Agarwal. River Pollution in India and Its Management. New Delhi: APH Pub. Corp, 2003. Print. Helmer, Richard, and Ivanildo Hespanhol. Water Pollution Control: A Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management Principles. London: E & FN Spon, 1997. Print. Managi, Shunsuke, and Surender Kumar. The Economics of Sustainable Development: The Case of India. New York: Springer US, 2009. Print. Manivanan, R. Water Quality Modeling: Rivers, Streams, and Estuaries. New Delhi: New India Pub. Agency, 2008. Print. Rajvaidya, Neelima, and Dilip K. Markandey. Environmental Pollution Control. New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub. Corp, 2005. Print. Razzaque, Jona. Public Interest Environmental Litigation in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2004. Print. Singh, V P, and Ram N. Yadava. Ground Water Pollution: Proceedings of the International Conference on Water and Environment (we-2003), December 15-18, 2003, Bhopal, India. New Delhi: Allied Publishers, 2003. Print. Read More