Environmental Perception and River Rejuvenation: A Study of the Mithi River, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

This research article is the study about the condition of the Mithi River. It is located in the Mumbai city in India. The objective of the study is to find out the problems behind the degradation of the river and the possible remedies for Rejuvenation. Data analysis shows the toxic metal components and 80–110 metrics of plastic present in the river in year 2010–2011 and the current WQI of the river is below average even during the time of Covid -19 pandemic in the year 2019–2020. The average WQI of the river is 42 but the current WQI is 22 which says the river water is neither potable nor can be used for domestic or industrial use. There were initiatives taken in the past few years by various volunteers and authorities, yet the Pollution in the river did not decrease. The major concern is the Locality and people staying near the river that are one of the root causes for the trouble. There is also lack of serious Government intervention in the problem-solving which has generated a careless behavior in people towards the Mithi River. The study focuses on what all are the problems that caused the damage to the river, what steps can be taken towards the betterment from the root causes that don’t let the river be cleansed in any way and the discussion for possible and practical improvement. The study also focuses on Environmental perception and River rejuvenation of Mithi river. The research approach used in this study is quantitative, and it collects both primary and secondary data. An online survey was conducted using self-administered questions. The survey rendered 73 responses. This survey, which was conducted, contained 30 questions. The evaluation of this survey was done electronically. Anthropogenic interventions, such as the dumping of industrial affluents and agricultural runoff from on bed to off bed landuse, have been identified as the primary sources of contamination in the current study. Natural forces such as neotectonic shifts and monsoon regimes have also exacerbated the problem. The findings show that the vast majority of people are aware of the river’s state and are dissatisfied with it, while a small percentage believe it is in the worst possible condition.