Interestingly, it was revealed that most people believe the onus of quality and hygiene of the river lies with industries and NGOs. Only 22 per cent people preferred to hold the local government or municipal corporations accountable.
A latest survey conducted to gauge the perception of people toward various environmental issues in the Capital has revealed that over 92 per cent of city dwellers feel the condition of the Yamuna is indeed “poor”.
Even as 60 per cent people perceived that air quality has deteriorated in the past five years, that the dying river is totally not fit for direct consumption is something which is accepted by almost every Delhi resident, states the report.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) released the findings of its Environmental Survey 2015 on Wednesday.
Almost 67 per cent of the respondents perceived the colour of the river water has worsened over the past five years and 64 per cent felt the same about the odour in its surrounding areas.
Even the number of fish was perceived to have lessened by 62 per cent of the respondents, greenery along the banks had come down by 53 per cent and, the presence of birds and animals around the river had also reduced by 63 per cent said the respondents.
Interestingly, it was also revealed that most people believe the onus of quality and hygiene of the river lies with industries, factories, non-government organisations (by 47 per cent of the respondents) and individual citizens (30 per cent of the respondents).
Only 22 per cent of the respondents preferred to hold the local government or municipal corporations accountable.
City sewage is considered a threat to the Yamuna according to 95 per cent of the respondents, while 99 per cent felt sewage should be treated properly before being discharged into the river to avoid further damage.
Major setback
In what could be a major setback to the Delhi Government and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), only 51 per cent of the respondents indicated having seen some work or activity being carried out as part of the Yamuna Action Plan.
About the overall environment, 93 per cent agreed that the quality of environment had an immediate impact on health.
Fifty-one per cent recognised air quality as an issue with the most visible impact on health, followed by water quality (40 per cent) and waste (nine per cent).
According to TERI, though the results are based on opinions, they reflect the faith in the government.
“People’s perceptions may or may not reflect reality, but they do reflect their confidence levels in governments, their engagement with common cause issues and their daily fears,” said TERI Acting Director-General Leena Srivastava.
Interestingly, it was revealed that most people believe the onus of quality and hygiene of the river lies with industries and NGOs. Only 22 per cent people preferred to hold the local government or municipal corporations accountable
