24.09.2025

CPCB Report on Polluted River Sites (2023)

Context
 The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its 2023 report on polluted river sites in India. The findings indicate a slight improvement, with the total number of polluted sites falling to 807 in 2023 from 815 in 2022. The report also shows a reduction in the most critically polluted “Priority-1” stretches, signaling progress in water quality management.

About the CPCB Report

• Nature of Report: A nationwide assessment conducted by the CPCB to evaluate the health of rivers and aquatic ecosystems.
   
• Pollution Indicator: Uses Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as the key parameter for assessing organic pollution levels.
   
  • BOD > 3 mg/L: Water is unfit for bathing.
     
  • BOD > 30 mg/L: Classified as Priority-1, the most polluted category.
     
• Monitoring Network: Covers 4,736 monitoring locations across rivers, lakes, canals, and drains.
   

Trends in 2023 Findings

1. Polluted Sites
    
   • 2022: 815 sites.
      
   • 2023: 807 sites (marginal improvement).
      
2. Polluted River Stretches (PRS)
    
   • 2022: 311 PRS across 279 rivers.
      
   • 2023: 296 PRS across 271 rivers.
      
3. Priority-1 Stretches
    
   • Declined from 45 in 2022 to 37 in 2023, showing fewer critically polluted stretches.
      

State-wise Distribution of Polluted Stretches

• Maharashtra: 54 stretches (highest in the country).
   
• Kerala: 31 stretches.
   
• Madhya Pradesh & Manipur: 18 stretches each.
   
• Karnataka: 14 stretches.
   

These states represent the regions facing significant water quality stress due to urbanization, industrialization, and inadequate wastewater management.

Significance of the Report

• Policy Relevance: Provides baseline data for water quality improvement programs under the National Mission for Clean Ganga and other state initiatives.
   
• Environmental Health: Helps identify hotspots where pollution poses risks to aquatic biodiversity and human health.
   
• Accountability Tool: Offers benchmarks for states to take corrective measures, improve sewage treatment, and strengthen enforcement of pollution control norms.
   

Way Forward

• Expansion of sewage treatment infrastructure in urban and peri-urban areas.
   
• Adoption of eco-friendly technologies to treat industrial effluents.
   
• Community-led monitoring and awareness campaigns for river conservation.
   
• Strengthening state pollution control boards for stricter compliance and reporting.
   

Conclusion

The CPCB’s 2023 assessment highlights a marginal decline in polluted river sites and critical stretches, reflecting some progress in water pollution management. However, the continued presence of over 800 polluted sites underlines the urgent need for sustainable river basin management, effective sewage treatment, and stricter enforcement to restore India’s rivers to ecological health.