The River on The Edge
this is the second of the series under the theme Sacred Rivers and Their Living wisdom.
Like the Ganges, the Yamuna is deeply venerated by Hindus and worshipped as a goddess. Nearly 57 million people depend on its waters, and it supplies about 70% of Delhi’s water needs. With an annual flow of approximately 97 billion cubic metres, of which nearly 4 billion cubic metres are consumed annually—primarily for irrigation—the Yamuna remains central to life in northern India.
It holds profound cultural, historical, and ecological significance in the Indian psyche.
The Journey of the Yamuna
The Yamuna is the second-largest tributary of the Ganges by discharge and the longest tributary in India. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier near the Banderpooch peaks at an elevation of 6,387 metres.
Flowing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, it merges with the Ganga at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. Along its course, it contributes to the formation of the fertile alluvial Ganga-Yamuna Doab in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Its major tributaries include the Tons (the largest), Chambal, Betwa, and Ken.
The Ecological Crisis
At the Hathni Kund Barrage, the Yamuna’s waters are diverted into two major canals—the Western Yamuna Canal flowing towards Haryana and the Eastern Yamuna Canal towards Uttar Pradesh.
While the water quality in the upper stretches near Yamunotri remains reasonably good, the river undergoes severe degradation as it enters Delhi. Wastewater discharged through multiple drains renders the river heavily polluted. The primary causes are untreated sewage and inadequately treated effluents.
A mere 22-kilometre stretch between Wazirabad and Okhla accounts for nearly 80% of the river’s pollution. Approximately 3,500 million litres of untreated sewage and industrial waste are discharged into the Yamuna daily.
Efforts by the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Yamuna Action Plan have had limited success. The river’s water quality is often classified as E-class, with high coliform levels, negligible dissolved oxygen, and frequent toxic foam formation.
A river is termed “biologically dead” when oxygen levels are too low to support aquatic life. In parts of Delhi, the Yamuna has reached this alarming state.
SDG 6—Clean Water and Sanitation—reminds us that access to clean water is a fundamental human right. As António Guterres states, “Clean water and sanitation are not just basic needs but human rights.” The story of the Yamuna reflects our larger relationship with natural resources.
Little Known Facets of the Yamuna
The Yamunotri temple, built in the 19th century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur, has endured repeated destruction and reconstruction. A unique tradition here involves cooking rice and potatoes as prasad by dipping them in hot water springs.
In its initial stretch, tributaries such as Rishi Ganga, Hanuman Ganga, Tons, and Giri join the river.
The Har-ki-Dun valley, part of the Rupin catchment, is a breathtaking landscape of alpine meadows and forests of alder and blue pine.
The Gobind Pashu Vihar Sanctuary, located in the upper reaches of the Tons River, is home to high-altitude wildlife, including the snow cock, snow partridge, and the monal pheasant.
Interestingly, the Yamuna also marks the western limit of the Indian elephant’s natural range in the Himalaya.
The river is prone to flooding, with a record high level of 208.66 metres recorded in Delhi in July 2023.
Cultural and Mythological Significance
In Hindu belief, the Yamuna is the daughter of the sun god Surya and the sister of Yama, the god of death, and is also known as Yami. Bathing in its waters is believed to free one from the fear of death.
Associated deeply with Krishna, the river is also known as Kalindi. According to legend, she performed penance to marry Krishna and is counted among his eight principal queens (Ashtabharya).
The Yamuna also features in the story of Krishna’s birth, when Vasudeva crossed its waters to carry the infant to safety.
Historical Significance,,
Shah Jahan is often associated with romantic imagery along the Yamuna, particularly with Mumtaz Mahal. While such depictions are partly romanticised, the river undeniably formed a scenic and symbolic backdrop to Mughal life.
Mehtab Bagh, the “Moonlight Garden,” offered a vantage point to admire the Taj Mahal across the river.
The Musamman Burj, a beautifully crafted pavilion within Agra Fort, is believed to be where Shah Jahan spent his final years, gazing at the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna.
Conclusion: A Call for Renewal
The 22-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi constitutes less than 2% of its total length, yet carries nearly 80% of its pollution burden.
Sustainable Development Goals.
A river that shaped civilization now calls for care – KEEP ME ALIVE—sustainability begins where reverence meets responsibility.
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