India's fisheries sector incurs a massive economic loss of approximately $2.2 billion annually from water pollution because of untreated wastewater, according to a recent study. This huge figure underscores the need for improved wastewater management to protect the environment as much as the livelihood of millions dependent on the fishing industry.
Economic Impact of Water Pollution on Fisheries
A recent report by the Ocean Sewage Alliance and Back to Blue Initiative, during the World Ocean Summit in Japan, examined the economic effects of wastewater pollution in five countries: India, Brazil, Kenya, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Among them, India's fishing sector was worst affected, with its total economic value reducing by 5.4% annually.
This downturn not only affects the livelihoods of indigenous fishers but also threatens India's position among the world's largest seafood exporters. River and coastal water pollution has led to diminishing fish stocks, and it is increasingly challenging for fish farmers and indigenous fishing communities to sustain their incomes.
Health Hazards Associated with Wastewater Pollution
Besides financial costs, the study pinpointed the extensive health implications of poor wastewater treatment. India loses $246 million in economic losses each year from diarrheal disease caused by polluted drinking water. Only 21% of its wastewater is treated, exposing millions of people to dire health implications.
Major Health Impacts:
- Increasing cases of waterborne diseases including diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.
- Higher health costs and lost production on the side of affected populations.
- Water pollution that impinges on food safety, with toxic substances finding their way into the food chain through fish and agricultural produce.
Key Water Bodies Affected by Pollution
Many of India's most crucial water bodies, and agriculture and fishing lifelines, have been seriously impacted by pollution:
1. Churni River
- Problem: Excessive industrial pollution, low oxygen content, and high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) have led to declining fish populations.
- Impact: Decline in fish diversity and numbers, destroying local fisheries.
- More info: Churni River – Wikipedia
2. Ennore Creek
- Problem: Industrial encroachments have reduced water depth, threatening floods while ruining fish habitats.
- Impact: Loss of traditional fishing grounds and increased salinity levels.
- More info: Ennore Creek – Wikipedia
3. Pulicat Lake
- Problem: Sewage discharge, pesticides, and industrial effluents have significantly reduced fish populations.
- Impact: Thousands of fishermen and agricultural workers have suffered loss of income.
- More info: Pulicat Lake – Wikipedia
4. Ashtamudi Lake
- Problem: Untreated sewage and oil spilling have led to disastrous environmental pollution.
- Impact: declining fish stocks and possible loss of Ramsar Wetland status for the lake.
- Additional information: Ashtamudi Lake – Wikipedia
Agricultural Impact of Wastewater Pollution
India also incurs $1.2 billion in farm revenue losses caused by wastewater contamination. An estimated 10% of the land used for farming in developing nations, such as India, is irrigated using partially or untreated wastewater, which is full of poisonous heavy metals like:
- Zinc
- Chromium
- Manganese
- Iron
Effects on Agriculture:
✅ Short-term gain: Wastewater nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can temporarily boost crop production.
❌ Long-term loss: The repeated application of contaminated water results in soil salinization, fertility loss, and reduced productivity.
Purposed Actions to Avoid Wastewater Pollution
Experts suggest the cost of doing nothing is too high and call for urgent investment in wastewater infrastructure. Some of the suggested measures are:
1. Upgrading Sewage Treatment Facilities
- Increase India's wastewater treatment facilities above the current 21% coverage.
- Install existing plants with state-of-the-art filtration and treatment technologies.
2. Deployment of Decentralized Wastewater Systems
- In lieu of large-scale infrastructure, small-scale, decentralized wastewater treatment plants may be utilized.
- They are cost-effective and may be undertaken in rural towns.
3. Circular Economy Strategy for Wastewater Management
- Recycling of wastewater as organic fertilizers for farming.
- Using treated wastewater for industrial cooling and irrigation.
- Converting the sewage waste into biogas and renewable energy sources.
The Role of Policymakers in Water Management
Nitin Bassi, programme lead for sustainable water at the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), spoke about the imperative to increase the quality of water as much as the availability of water to be used. He suggested that by means of harvesting, treatment, and recycling wastewater, India can alleviate pressure on its already scarce freshwater resources.
Amelia Wenger, a wildlife conservation biologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, added that innovative new high-tech approaches to treating wastewater are being designed, offering alternative and sustainable solutions compared to traditional treatments.
Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action
India's $2.2 billion loss in fisheries and $1.2 billion agricultural revenue loss due to wastewater pollution poses a serious threat to food security as well as economic stability. It will get even worse, having severe health, environmental, and financial consequences, if not addressed urgently.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Invest in wastewater treatment plants to reduce pollution and save fisheries.
✔ Improve sewage management to reduce disease outbreaks and healthcare costs.
✔ Implement sustainable agriculture practices to prevent soil loss.
✔ Sustainably promote policymakers to embrace circular wastewater management strategies.
Through the implementation of these initiatives, India can ensure the safety of its fisheries sector, improve public health, and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.