Textile dyeing in India has become one of the major contributors to environmental pollution, particularly affecting the country’s rivers.
The process involves a vast quantity of water and chemicals, and often these chemicals are not properly treated before being discharged into the rivers. India’s textile industry, one of the largest in the world, relies heavily on water-intensive processes to dye fabrics, creating an enormous environmental burden.
These pollutants seep into the water, affecting the quality of the rivers and posing significant risks to aquatic life. The toxic nature of these substances disrupts ecosystems, harms fish populations, and reduces biodiversity. Furthermore, these chemicals find their way into the food chain, causing potential harm to humans who consume contaminated water or fish.
In many cases, the textile factories simply discharge wastewater directly into the rivers without any form of treatment. The result is water that is not only visually polluted — stained in unnatural colours — but also chemically hazardous. It often becomes unfit for agricultural use, drinking, or even bathing.
As these rivers are vital sources of water for millions of people, this pollution threatens both the environment and public health.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that, in many areas, there is insufficient regulation and enforcement to tackle the problem.