(a) Discuss about the major programs tha | Class 12 Biology Chapter Microbes in Human Welfare, Microbes in Human Welfare NCERT Solutions

a. Prior to year1985, only few cities and towns had sewage treatment plants. Most of the sewage water of urban as well as rural areas was discharged directly into rivers resulting in their pollution. Importance of microbial treatment of sewage was then released and more sewage treatment plants were established.

Still, they are not sufficient due to increasing urbanization and production of much larger quantities of sewage as when compared to the earlier days. By realizing the importance of microbes in the control of pollution, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has initiated development of sewage treatment plants under the National River Conservation Authority.

b. The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was a program launched in 1986, in April, in order for the reduction of pollution load on the river. A steering committee of the National River Conservation Authority reviewed the progress of the GAP and necessary correction.

Scientists and religious leaders formed a theory on the causes of the river’s apparent self -purification effect, in which diseases that was water borne such as dysentery and cholera are eliminated by killing thin caused organisms. Thus, by this prevention occurs from large scale epidemics.

Some studies have reported that the river retains more oxygen than is typical for comparable rivers; this could be important factor that leads to fewer disease agents which are being present in the water. National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA) was established by the Central Government of India, on 20^th February 2009 under section 33 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It is also declared as the National river of India.