More than a crore people take a holy dip in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers every day (image-X/MahaKumbh_2025)

As crores of pilgrims took a holy dip during the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told the National Green Tribunal that high levels of bacteria, commonly found in human and animal excreta, were found in the Ganga and Yamuna waters.

The CPCB submitted a report to the tribunal on February 3, which detailed the poor condition of water and the non-compliance and violations. The National Green Tribunal is hearing a petition about the quality of water in the Yamuna and Ganga rivers amid Maha Kumbh.

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Faecal coliform bacteria, microbes usually found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans, were found in the river water.

“River water quality was not conforming with the primary water quality for bathing w.r.t. Fecal Coliform [FC] at all the monitored locations on various occasions. Huge number of people taking bath at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela in river including auspicious bathing days which eventually leads to increase in fecal concentration,” outlined the report.

The CPCB also stated that river water quality with respect to biochemical oxygen demand did not meet bathing criteria on January 12 and 13 at majority of the locations. Biochemical oxygen demand refers to the amount of oxygen that micro-organisms use to decompose organic matter in water. Low biochemical oxygen demand indicates purer water, while a higher number indicates polluted water.

On Monday, the National Green Tribunal stated that the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board had failed to comply with an order on December 23 to file a report on the actions taken to prevent water pollution.

The Uttar Pradesh government’s counsel sought a day to examine reports on pollution in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers during the Maha Kumbh to file a response.

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The Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will end on February 26. On average, over a crore people have taken the holy dip in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers every day during the pilgrimage, reported the Hindustan Times, quoting the state government.

The next date for the hearing has been scheduled for February 19.