Question

The main source of river pollution in India is

• A. Industrial waste
• B. Untreated sewage
• C. Solid waste
• D. Human and animal bath

Hint:

When considering environmental issues in India, remember the scale. The massive volume of wastewater from a large population often makes untreated sewage the biggest polluter of water bodies, even though industrial waste can be more toxic per unit.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the single largest contributor to the pollution of rivers in India.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
While all the options listed contribute to water pollution, numerous environmental assessments and government reports have consistently identified untreated sewage as the primary source by volume.
A large percentage of sewage generated in Indian cities and towns is discharged directly into rivers without any treatment. This domestic wastewater contains organic matter and harmful pathogens, leading to a severe decline in water quality, depletion of dissolved oxygen, and the spread of waterborne diseases.
(A) Industrial waste is also a major polluter and often contains highly toxic chemicals, but in terms of sheer volume, it is surpassed by domestic sewage. (C) Solid waste and (D) bathing are also sources, but their overall impact is less than that of the massive quantities of untreated sewage.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The main source of river pollution in India is untreated sewage from domestic and municipal sources.