Snapshot of

Environmental Issues of
Bhubaneswar
 ~Table of Contents~
Contents Corresponding Slides
Introduction to Bhubaneswar 3-6

Air Pollution 7-10

Water Pollution 11-15

Drainage and Sewer Issue 16-19

Solid Waste Issue 20-22

Deforestation 23-25

Conclusion 26
 ~ Bhubaneswar: The Temple City ~
Known as the “Temple City”, Bhubaneswar
has a unique position by virtue of the
ability to seamlessly integrate its rich
cultural heritage with a strong regional
economic base. Founded during the
Kalinga empire over 3,000 years ago,
Bhubaneswar today boasts of a cluster of
magnificent temples, constituting a
complete record of Odisha temple
architecture from its early beginnings to its
culmination
 ~ Geographic location and Demography~
Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, is located in the
eastern coastal plains of the state.

Latitudinal extension : 20o 15’ N

Longitudinal extension : 85o 50’ E

Land area of Bhubaneswar : 422 km2

Population : 8,43,402 (Census 2011)

Population Density : 2131.4 / km2

Literacy rate : 93.15 %
Male Population : 4,46,204 (Census 2011) Male Literacy : 95.69 %

Female Population : 3,97,198 (Census 2011) Female Literacy : 90.26 %

 ~ History and Culture ~
Bhubaneswar stands near the ruins of Sisupalgarh, the ancient capital of the erstwhile
province of Kalinga. Dhauli, near Bhubaneswar was the site of the Kalinga War (c.
262-261 BCE), in which the Mauryan emperor Ashoka invaded and annexed Kalinga.
One of the most complete edicts of the Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka, dating from
between 272 and 236 BCE, remains carved in rock, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) to the
southwest of the modern city. After the decline of the Mauryan empire, the area came
under the rule of Mahameghavahana dynasty, whose most well-known rule
is Kharavela. His Hathigumpha inscription is located at the Udayagiri and
Khandagiri Caves near Bhubaneswar. The area was subsequently ruled by several
dynasties, including Satavahanas, Guptas, Marathas, and Shailodbhavas.
Temples are made in the Kalinga architectural style with a pine spire that curves up to a
point over the sanctum housing the presiding deity and a pyramid-covered hall where
people sit and pray. Famous temples include Lingaraja Temple, Muktesvara
Temple, Rajarani Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple. The twin hills of Khandagiri and
Udayagiri, served as the site of an ancient Jaina monastery which was carved into cave-like
chambers in the face of the hill. These caves, with artistic carvings, date back to the 2nd
century BCE. Dhauli hills has major edicts of Ashoka engraved on a mass of rock and a
white Peace Pagoda was built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon
Buddha Sangha in the 1970s. Odia culture survives in the form of Classical Odissi dance,
handicrafts, sand artistry and sculpturing as well as theatre and music. Boundary walls and
gardens are increasingly being redone to depict the folk art of the state.Odissi, the oldest of
the eight surviving classical dance forms of India can be traced from archaeological
evidence from the temples in Bhubaneswar.
 ~ Environmental Issues ~
The environment of the city of Bhubaneswar has been degraded due to different human
activities. The effects of climate change have been observed since last few years in Bhubaneswar.
It has been found that the temperature remains high during the night too.The temperature in
summer ranges around 40 degree Celsius, which not only affects the health and comfort of the
people but also demands more energy. The average annual rainfall has decreased, and has a
value of 1,550 mm annualy. Cyclones account for most of the rainfall that the city experiences.
The groundwater level has decreased by 1m in major areas of the city. Urban flooding is seen in
areas like Acharya Vihar, Shastri Nagar, Old Town, etc in the rainy season when the intensity
increases slightly above normal. The stagnant water gets polluted and creates environmental
hazards.
Listing some of the environmental issues in Bhubaneswar :
 Air pollution
 Water pollution
 Drainage and Sewers management issue
 Solid waste management issue
 Deforestation
 ~ Air Pollution ~
Air pollution has been a major concern for the dwellers of
Bhubaneswar. In the last decade the extent of pollution has
increased drastically due to increase in the industrial activities
and more number of vehicles on the road. According to the
Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), the air we
breathe in may bring in some respiratory complications to the
people who have a comparatively weaker immunity.

According to the report of OSPCB, the city is recording an alarming level of ‘Suspended Particulate
Matter’ (SPM) in air. According to the prescribed standard, the SPM level should not increase 100
microgram per meter cube, but the samples taken pollution board show SPM level between 180 to 200
microgram per meter cube
 ~ Some Images Captured ~

As we can see, the image This image showcases the This picture displays a
shows a quite hazy pollution caused due to carpenter doing his job, but
atmosphere. When industrial activity. National the sawdust released into the
smoke mixes with fog, it Aluminium Company (NALCO) atmosphere can be accounted
gives rise to smog and the has been a major plant in for air pollution.
picture displays such a Bhubaneswar which accounts for
scenario a good amount of air pollution.
 NO2 9.6 microgram/m3
The table attached with this slide showcases the data O3 15.82 microgram/m3
collected recently about the amount of harmful gases PM2.5 3.7 microgram/m3
present in the atmosphere over the region of SO2 7.5 microgram/m3
Bhubaneswar. The values depict that the level of NO2,
CO 760 microgram/m3
O3, PM2.5 and SO2 are under control but the level of
CO is very high. This in fact is fatal for the human Humidity 94.0 %
body as the affinity of CO towards blood is 235 times Barometric Pressure 1004.0 hPa
more than that of O2. Wind Speed 5.82 m/s
Wind Direction 360o

As per the Air Quality Index dated 23rd October 2020,

the
atmosphere is relatively cleaner and the remark as
observed is “good”.
 Measures Taken by the Government :
With air pollution level rising alarmingly in some pockets of Odisha, the state government has given
priority to clean air action plan to improve the environmental condition and reduce health hazards.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary AP Padhi it was decided that Forest and
Environment Department will work as nodal department for implementation of State Clean Air
Action Plan. Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar will be the technological partner for the
implementation of the action plan.

My Suggestion :
I would suggest that awareness among the people plays the most important role to keep the air
clean. People can reduce the unnecessary usage of vehicles as a result of which air pollution
will be reduced. Moreover, the industries should work upon developing new technologies that
would do the work with same efficiency with a decrease in the pollution in air
 ~ Water Pollution ~
Water quality has been falling sharply across major river
systems in the state.
The major sources of water pollution in the city of
Bhubaneswar are industrial and
domestic discharges. The Daya River passing though
Bhubaneswar has been found unsuitable for use at all the
four places where assessment has been done. Moreover,
most of the rivers in Odisha have been classified as Class
C rivers (rivers are classified A to E), which means its
water can be used for drinking after treatment followed
by disinfection. However, the latest assessment found
Daya has higher level of Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD), an index to assess bad effect of discharged This picture has been captured near River Daya
wastewater on environment and total coliform bacteria
found in faeces compared to the highest limit allowed for
class C rivers.
 ~ Some Images Captured ~
The picture on the left shows that garbage have been
disposed directly into the river, making the water not
suitable for use. This can be a major concern for the
people who depend on the river for their daily needs.

The pictures on the right showcases that the dirty water of the
sewers are directly poured into the river without any treatment.
This results in water pollution in a large scale. Untreated
sewage may lead to many various problems, most importantly,
the people may suffer from water borne diseases.
Winter (W): November, December, January, Summer(S): February March, April, May, Pre Monsoon (PRM): June
Monsoon (M): July, August, September Post Monsoon (POM): October

Seasonal Average Values of PH Seasonal Average Values of DO in mg/l

Sample W S PRM M POM Sample W S PRM M POM
S1 7.9 8.0 7.4 7.8 8.0 S1 8.4 7.0 8.2 8.5 8.0
S2 7.8 8.2 7.5 7.9 7.8 S2 7.9 8.4 8.4 8.0 7.5
S3 7.7 8.3 7.6 8.0 7.7 S3 8.3 7.5 8.5 7.8 7.8
S4 8.1 8.2 7.9 8.0 7.9 S4 8.5 7.9 7.9 7.6 8.7
S5 8.2 8.1 8.0 7.9 8.2 S5 8.1 7.8 7.8 7.8 8.6

Seasonal Average Values of Hardness in mg/l Seasonal Average Values of BOD in mg/l
Sample W S PRM M POM Sample W S PRM M POM
S1 75 70 58 67 65 S1 1.5 2.0 1.8 1.9 1.5
S2 67 68 60 72 72 S2 1.3 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.3
S3 70 72 61 69 70 S3 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.4
S4 73 82 63 78 76 S4 1.6 1.5 1.9 1.2 1.1
S5 80 84 70 86 87 S5 1.4 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.2
 Water quality assessment of the river Kuakhai during the period Jan 2017 to Dec 2017 was given in
the previous slide. Water quality assessment is done on the basis of use based classification,
biological assessment and wholesomeness. From the discussions, it was observed that water quality
of this river in all seasons conformed to class-D (fish culture and wildlife propagation). The river
didn't confirm to class-A (drinking water source without conventional treatment but after
disinfection) because of high total coliform bacterial counts. It also didn't conform to class-B
(bathing water quality) with respect to coliform bacterial counts. Coliforms are a broad class of
bacterial found in our environment including feces of man and other warm blooded animals. The
water quality also didn't conform to class-C (drinking water source after conventional treatment
and after disinfection) with respect to BOD. The water quality is also deteriorated due to high
coliform bacteria which may be attributed to the in stream activities on the river. It was observed
that the water quality of the river is deteriorating day by day due to discharge of domestic waste and
waste water into the river Kuakhai. In order to restore river water quality intact we must set up the
septic tank of each household and the overflow of the septic tanks should be connected to the
common drain carrying waste water. The waste water should be treated in the sewage treatment
plant consisting of the grit chamber, primary clarifier, aeration tank and secondary clarifier
(Ranjan et al, 2012). The result of the outlet should satisfy the general waste water discharge to
inland surface water. Countries like Singapore which reuses nearly all of their waste water from
domestic sewage to industrial waste. The treatment of waste water is of such high quality that some
of Singapore's drinking water comes from completely treated waste water.
 Measures Taken by the Government:
To ensure safe drinking water to every household, the state government here is going to
expedite implementation of National Water Quality Submission of the ministry of Jal-Shakti.
As a part of it, the identified habitations affected by water quality problems will get potable
drinking water. Earlier the Ministry had asked the state to submit a status report of such
habitations, particularly those where the water contains Arsenic or Fluoride, and prepare an
Action Plan to implement potable drinking water projects in those areas.

My Suggestions:
In my point of view, we can do the following things in order to reduce water pollution:

Have
Avoid Limit the
Do not Handle proper Stop
toilets for use of
Use less Reuse dispose off toxic garbage immersion
throwing detergents
plastic items oils in the chemicals disposal of ashes in
household and
sink properly facility at the river
items bleaches
homes
~ Drainage and Sewer Management Issue ~
As the fear of urban flooding keeps Bhubaneswarites on the
edge ahead of the monsoon, the role of Odisha Water Supply
and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) to improve the flawed drainage
system of the City has come under scanner. The state capital,
which won the tag of number one Smart City in 2016 and has a
population of over one million, surprisingly doesn’t have a
mechanised and integrated wastewater disposal system. In
absence of an integrated sewerage system, millions of litre of
wastewater generated in the city every day are directly
discharged into the stormwater drains.

Things become worse in monsoon when these drains start overflowing due to excessive rainfall.
While residential colonies in low-lying areas of the city get inundated, the contaminated water leads
to serious health hazards.
 ~ Some Images Captured ~
This picture has been taken
near my house, Acharya Vihar
As it is clearly visible, the picture where an open sewer is seen.
shows how vehicles move on There is a slum situated near
water-logged road. this sewer. The open sewer
causes many medical
complications to the locals.
This Image has also been captured
near my house. Sometimes BMC
workers come to clean the sewers
but they leave the muck open on
the roads. This poses to be a great
problem for the local inhabitants as
the foul smell doesn’t allow them to
live comfortably.
 Drainage Issue:
Bhubaneswar city poses problems of liquid waste disposal and allows it to a natural drain (Gangua drain)
to the river Daya which is the hydrographic life line of South Mahanadi delta and major fresh water
source to the largest lagoon of Asia, the Chilika. Use of river water from the Daya, face the challenge of
meeting compliance economically by national regulatory standards to maintain riparian rights of the
people and the ecology downstream. The Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has admitted
that high levels of coliform bacteria are present in the water of the rivers below Daya Bridge (NH 203) and
Kuakhai has been polluted to be unfit for human use. Odisha Human rights commission has alleged about
direct release of untreated liquid waste/sewage from capital city to the rivers Kuakhai and Daya. OSPCB
reported regarding DO, BOD, COD and E coli were beyond permissible limits in the Daya water.

Sewage Issue:
Odisha's capital of Bhubaneshwar lacks any sewage treatment system, and ends up polluting its adjoining
rivers, lakes and ground water, says the report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) called
Excreta Matters. This is serious since between 19 to 30 per cent of the city's population depends on
groundwater for domestic use. Participants in the workshop called for better urban planning, monitoring
groundwater, ward-wise water testing, mandating rainwater harvesting and solid waste management. The
informal sector can be used in a more organized way for improving solid waste management, that will also
reduce the quantum of solids entering water ways. They felt water quality is a serious problem in the city
as nearly 40 per cent of children get jaundice from drinking contaminated water. Excreta Matters points
out Bhubaneswar has an excess of water supply on paper. In reality, high transmission losses and a small
distribution system ensured that supply was highly inequitable.
 Measures Taken by the Government:
To prevent pollution in Gangua, Kuakhai and Daya rivers caused due to discharge of untreated
waste water from the city, the Integrated Sewerage System is being implemented by Odisha
Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Commissioning of Septage Treatment Plant (SeTP) of 75
KLD capacity to treat liquid part of the septage using DEWATS technology. Proposal for
construction of two more Septage Treatment Plants in Bhubaneswar city.

My Suggestions:

Minimize water use when it's raining. Wait to wash clothes or run the dishwasher until the rain stops to lessen the
burden on the sanitary system.

Dispose off household chemicals and automotive fluids properly – not down household drains or curbside storm
drains.

Don't put fats, oils or grease down the drain.

 ~ Solid Waste Management Issue ~
In view of fast paced economic growth accompanied with
rapid urbanisation, management of municipal solid waste has
emerged as one of the major environmental challenges of
present times. Indian cities are often characterized by poorly
rendered services including waste management-the most
ignored of all basic services, on account of various reasons.
The situation worsens with increasing population pressure in
urban centers. Bhubaneswar is one such city of Eastern India,
having an inefficient, outdated and unscientific waste
management system.

The existing solid waste management system in the city is found to be highly inefficient.
Primary and secondary collection, transportation and open dumping are the only
activities practiced that too in a nontechnical manner.
 ~ Some Images Captured ~

As clearly visible, the garbage is dumped without any

proper treatment and the amount generated is also huge
which would require a large amount of capital investment
for proper management

The image on the right shows how garbage is dumped on roadside.

This create a problem for the people who walk on this foul smelling
road.
 Measures Taken by the Government:
The State Government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure on decentralised solid waste
management and asked all urban local bodies (ULBs) to engage Swachh Sathis in their respective
Wards. Swachh Sathis will act as change agents to bring about collective behavioural changes at the
household level for door-to-door collection of segregated waste and ensure decentralised composting
of wet waste and collection of dry waste. The civic bodies have also been provided with technical
details for constructing Micro composting centres (MCC) and on-site composting centres (OCC)
besides segregating and processing the waste.

My Suggestions:

Reduce the amount of waste you produce.

3 R’s Reuse items as much as you can before replacing

them.
Recycle items wherever possible
 ~ Deforestation ~
It is no secret that the planet's temperature is increasing. If
it continues unabated, India will be among one of the worst-
hit countries with frequent floods and droughts. Now
coming to the city of Bhubaneswar, the rapid urbanisation
and development of industries has lead to large scale
deforestation in the city. Building of roads as well as
constructing large scale building projects have affected the
climate over Bhubaneswar due to deforestation.

The temperature over the city remains hot for most of the time of the year making it less
comfortable for the dwellers. Moreover, people use air-conditioners during almost for the whole
day which increases the content of CFC in the atmosphere, resulting in the depletion of Ozone
layer. Moreover the ground water level also decreases due to the heat that the ground absorbs.
 ~ Some Images Captured ~
As the picture depicts, the tress are cut down and most
probably, the wood is used for construction of furniture or
they are burnt for the household activities of villagers.

The picture on the right shows that the police along with some
aware citizens are prohibiting some tree cutters from cutting
the trees down. This step was taken by the government in
order to reduce deforestation in the city
 Measures Taken by the Government:
The government has implemented several schemes to increase green cover over the city

Maintenance of Permanent Nurseries

Increasing Tree cover outside Forest Areas (Distribution of Seedlings)

Plantation of Forestry Species in Private Land

Plantation through Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd. (OMC) under Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR)

My Suggestions:
I would suggest only one practise. Each and every individual should follow the policy of “Each
one plant one”. This will restore the green cover over the city, in fact the whole world and
reduce many natural calamities.
 ~ Conclusion ~
Though Bhubaneswar experiences various environmental
issues, still it is one of the finest and a rapidly developing
city. Recently Bhubaneswar had been ranked first in the list
of smart cities in India. Moreover Bhubaneswar plays the
role of a strategic location for many commercial and official
activities. Education facilities have also boomed in the
recent past and is developing at a rapid rate. The
government is trying its best to reduce the environmental
issues. As responsible citizens, it also becomes our duty to
reduce the environmental issues.

“I really feel privileged to be a native to this city.”

 Sooner or later, we will have to
recognise that the Earth has rights, too,
to live without pollution. What
mankind must know is that human
beings cannot live without Mother
Earth, but the planet can live without
humans.

~Thank You~