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Maharashtra state government has set up a panel led by authorities of the Kolhapur irrigation department to investigate pollution in the Panchaganga River following reports of dead fish in Warna River due to effluents from sugar mills.
Origin & Course:
Panchaganga River originates in the Western Ghats near Prayag Sangam, Maharashtra at an altitude of 900 meters.
It flows through Kolhapur district before joining Krishna River at Narsinhwadi near Kurundwad.
Major Cities Along the River: Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji, Kurundwad.
Length: Approximately 80 km.
Tributaries of Panchaganga:
The river gets its name from the five tributaries that merge to form it:
Bhogawati River – Originates in the Sahyadris; joins Panchaganga near Kolhapur.
Tulsi River – Originates in the Panhala hills & flows through Kolhapur district.
Kumbhi River – Flows from Amba Ghat region.
Kasari River – Originates near Radhanagari & merges with Bhogawati.
Dhamani River – Flows from Ajara region.
Significance of Panchaganga River:
Religious & Cultural Importance: Houses Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur major Hindu pilgrimage site. Panchaganga Ghat in Kolhapur is used for religious rituals and cremations.
Economic Importance: Supports agriculture (sugarcane, paddy, vegetables) in Kolhapur & Ichalkaranji. Provides water for sugar mills, textile industries, breweries. Supplies drinking water to Kolhapur city & surrounding areas.
Ecological Role: Houses native fish species including Mahseer. Provides habitat for wetland birds & riparian flora.
Pollution in Panchaganga River:
Sources of Pollution
Industrial effluents: Sugar mills, textile factories, breweries, tanneries discharge untreated waste.
Domestic sewage: Kolhapur city dumps 300 MLD (Million Liters per Day) of untreated sewage into river.
Agricultural runoff: Excessive use of pesticides & fertilizers contributes to pollution.
Effects of Pollution
High levels of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) & COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand). Decreased dissolved oxygen (DO) leading to fish deaths. Increased presence of heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
Warna River originates from Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar.
It flows through Sangli district before joining the Krishna River. Approximately 150 km.
Kadvi River – Major tributary contributing to the Warna River.
Supports sugarcane farming vital for the sugar industry in Maharashtra. Provides water for Warna Cooperative Sugar Mill one of largest sugar mills in India.
Houses the Warna Dam which generates hydroelectric power & supplies irrigation water.
Important habitat for migratory birds & freshwater fish species.
In February 2024 mass fish deaths were reported near Bhadole & Chikurde villages due to effluents released from sugar mills.
High ammonia levels & depletion of oxygen were detected in water samples.
For more on Krishna River, please visit IAS GYAN
Voluntary association of individuals with common economic, social, cultural interests. They function on principle of one member, one vote & work for collective benefit rather than profit maximization.
Agricultural Cooperatives – Provide credit, seeds, fertilizers, irrigation facilities to farmers.
Dairy Cooperatives – Promote milk production, processing, distribution (e.g. Amul).
Credit & Banking Cooperatives – Provide financial assistance particularly in rural areas (e.g. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, Urban Cooperative Banks).
Marketing Cooperatives – Help farmers sell their produce at better prices.
Consumer Cooperatives – Ensure fair pricing of essential commodities.
Housing Cooperatives – Provide affordable housing solutions.
Worker Cooperatives – Enable self employment & small scale industries.
1904: Cooperative Societies Act passed under British rule to support farmers.
1912: Cooperative Societies Act expanded to include non-agricultural sectors.
1950s: Post-independence government promoted cooperatives in Five-Year Plans.
1965: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was established to support cooperative financing.
1982: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was set up to strengthen rural credit cooperatives.
2002: Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS) Act allowed self-reliant cooperatives without excessive government control.
2021: Ministry of Cooperation was created to give focused attention to cooperatives with Amit Shah as first Minister.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS): Provide short-term credit to farmers. Approx. 95,000 PACS exist in India.
Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO): Largest cooperative for fertilizers supporting 50 million farmers.
Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation - GCMMF): India largest dairy cooperative transformed India into the largest producer of milk (White Revolution). Nandini, Mother Dairy, Sudha Dairy – Other major cooperative dairy brands.
Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs): Serve small businesses & urban populations. State Cooperative Banks & District Central Cooperative Banks: Fund rural credit institutions.
Maharashtra has more than 200 sugar cooperative mills contributing over 35% of India's sugar production. Shree Renuka Sugars, Warna Cooperative Sugar Factory are notable examples.
Provide affordable housing solutions especially in urban areas. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru have major cooperative housing societies.
Created in 2021 to strengthen the cooperative movement.
Key Objectives:
Digitization of cooperatives for better governance.
Ease of credit access for farmers and small businesses.
Regulatory reforms to improve efficiency.
Sources:
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Cooperative institutions especially in agro-based industries have played crucial role in India rural economy. However their unchecked operations often contribute to environmental degradation. Critically analyze dual impact of cooperatives on economic empowerment & ecological sustainability with a special focus on river pollution caused by sugar mills & dairy cooperatives. |
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