Debunked: Antibiotic Contamination Concerns in Indian Rivers

In a stark dismissal, the Indian government recently clarified that a study suggesting widespread antibiotic contamination in the country's rivers is rooted in speculative assumptions rather than concrete data. The study, originating from McGill University, asserted potential environmental and health risks affecting 80% of Indian rivers due to antibiotic pollution.

Union Environment Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, addressing the Rajya Sabha, emphasized that the study lacks adequate data, rendering its findings inconclusive. The government has launched initiatives like the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance to mitigate environmental impacts, focusing on strategic interventions and waste management protocols.

Measures include classifying industrial sludge as hazardous waste and enforcing strict disposal rules under the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. Efforts also include promoting the recycling and reuse of treated effluent to achieve near-zero liquid discharge, reducing contamination risks from pharmaceutical residues.

(With inputs from agencies.)