An Empirical Analysis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve for River Water Pollution in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

This article attempts to test the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis for river water pollution for a panel dataset of 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh. There are sharp socio-economic and demographic variations within India; therefore, a regional study can give a better insight into the pollution income relationship of a specific region compared to a national study. Panel unit root tests, Pedroni cointegration test and fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) method have been employed to investigate EKC for two water pollutants—biochemcial oxygen demand (BOD) and total coliform (TC). Findings suggest that there is no evidence of an EKC for BOD, but results validate the existence of an EKC for TC. The Swachha Bharat Mission launched in 2014 aimed at eliminating open defecation and increasing toilet access in rural India can be a credited for the reduction in TC levels since 2014. The success of NAMAMI Gange so far seems to be localised to regions where political thrust has expedited the completion of projects.