Read the passage and answer the following questions:
Sewage, which is a major component of urban wastewater, contains a significant amount of human excreta, organic matter, and pathogenic microbes. Disposing of such a large quantity of sewage directly into natural water bodies like rivers and streams is not feasible due to its polluting nature. Therefore, sewage undergoes treatment in sewage treatment plants (STPs) to reduce its pollution levels before disposal. The treatment process involves two main steps. The primary treatment focuses on physically removing both large and small particles from the sewage through processes like filtration and sedimentation. Initially, floating debris is removed through sequential filtration. The secondary treatment, also known as biological treatment, involves passing the primary effluent into large aeration tanks. These tanks are mechanically agitated and air is pumped into them, creating an environment suitable for the growth of beneficial aerobic microbes. These microbes form mesh-like structures called flocs, which consist of bacteria associated with fungal filaments. As these microbes grow, they consume a significant portion of the organic matter present in the effluent. This process leads to a reduction in the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of the effluent. BOD is a measure of the organic matter content in the water and indicates its pollution potential. The sewage water is treated until the BOD is sufficiently reduced. Overall, sewage treatment plants play a crucial role in reducing the pollution level of sewage by removing particles and organic matter, thereby ensuring that the treated water can be safely disposed of without causing harm to the environment or public health.
Who initiated Ganga Action Plan and Yamuna Action Plan to save major rivers of our country from pollution?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The Ministry of Environment and Forests.
As towns grow, more sewage is produced than the existing sewage treatment plants can handle, and untreated sewage is often let into rivers. To save major rivers from this pollution, the Ministry of Environment and Forests started the Ganga Action Plan and the Yamuna Action Plan. Under these plans, many sewage treatment plants are to be built so that only treated sewage reaches the rivers. IARI and KVIC are linked in NCERT with developing biogas technology in India, not with these plans.
NCERT Extract:
Microbes in Sewage Treatment – “… So the untreated sewage is often discharged directly into rivers leading to their pollution and increase in water-borne diseases. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has initiated Ganga Action Plan and Yamuna Action Plan to save these major rivers of our country from pollution. Under these plans, it is proposed to build a large number of sewage treatment plants so that only treated sewage may be discharged in the rivers.”