Thu Nov 07 03:05:00 UTC 2024: ## Delhi High Court Upholds Ban on Chhath Puja in Yamuna, Citing Pollution Concerns
**New Delhi:** The Delhi High Court has refused to lift the ban on Chhath Puja celebrations in the Yamuna River, citing the river’s severe pollution levels and the potential health risks to devotees. The court, dismissing a plea by the Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan, emphasized that the polluted waters could be harmful to participants and that sufficient alternative arrangements were already in place.
The court acknowledged the importance of the festival, celebrated largely by migrants from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, but stated that cleaning up the Yamuna is a complex and long-term process, not something that can be accomplished overnight. The court stressed that the discharge of untreated sewage into the river is a major contributing factor to its pollution and urged individuals to prioritize cleaning up their mindset and approach to environmental issues.
The Delhi government, which has designated 1,000 alternative locations for Chhath Puja celebrations, supported the ban, arguing that devotees could fall ill due to the highly polluted water.
Chhath Puja, a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun god, is celebrated on Thursday this year. The Delhi government has declared a public holiday for the occasion.
The decision comes amidst growing concerns about the Yamuna River’s pollution, which is characterized by toxic foam formation caused by high levels of pollutants, phosphates, and surfactants from untreated sewage. As winter approaches, Delhi faces the annual challenge of battling both poor air quality and the river’s toxic foam, leading to a political blame game between the ruling AAP government and the BJP.
First Piper 