To check the Narmada river pollution, the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) in Madhya Pradesh, has decided to undertake a novel Bio-Health Monitoring programme to identify pollutants in the river.

It will introduce the concept of the 'Benthic Invertebrates' which is a more viable and natural way to keep the rivers healthy.

"This concept is based on the age-old practice of 'Benthic Invertebrate Population' which was earlier found in plenty in healthy rivers, but these days due to growing pollution, it has become a rare thing," said NVDA vice chairman O P Rawat.

Benthic Invertebrates are those species which eat and convert pollutants present in the rivers into healthy food for fishes and other aquatic animals, he explained.

After conducting bio-analysis of the pollutants present in Narmada river, efforts would be made to revive the Benthic Invertebrate population specially at the troubled spots, Rawat said.

The Bio-Health Monitoring system has been developed on the lines of researches and studies made on health of rivers in Canada, Australia, France, USA and other countries by setting up on-the-spot lab studies, he said.

Similar system

A similar system will be introduced in Narmada river and as per preliminary estimates, Rs 100 crore will be spent on the monitoring project, Rawat added.

Under the proposed system, study centres will be set up right from the origin of Narmada River, Amarkantak to the Madhya Pradesh border, to study invertebrates called Benthons.  
Benthons cannot withstand pollution and their ample presence in water is index of its good quality, the sources said. Besides study of benthons under the Bio-Health Monitoring System, bio-mapping of Narmada River will also be undertaken on the basis of other researches and studies, they said, adding efforts will be made to maintain quality of water.

Services of experts in the area of bio-health monitoring system too will be taken for providing adequate training to those involved in the project.

Modern techniques will also be put to use along the banks of Narmada River for purification of filthy effluents from cities and habitats.