Write a short note on Eutrophication.

Pollution Control Boards’ Role

The Central and Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Boards actively monitor water quality under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme1 (NWMP), identifying eutrophic water bodies and enforcing pollution norms to reduce nutrient loads from agriculture and sewage.

River Rejuvenation Committees

The Central Monitoring Committee (CMC) and state-level River Rejuvenation Committees (RRCs) coordinate restoration efforts to reduce nutrient inflows causing eutrophication, focusing on rivers like Krishna and Godavari in Andhra Pradesh.

Agricultural Runoff

Intensive fertiliser use in crops like chilli and horticulture in Andhra Pradesh leads to nutrient leaching into rivers and reservoirs, accelerating eutrophication and harming aquatic life through oxygen depletion and fish kills.

Sewage Treatment Deficits

Many sewage treatment plants operate below capacity or are outdated, resulting in untreated effluents entering water bodies and increasing nutrient pollution, especially in urban areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Nutrient Management Policies

The Soil Health Card Scheme and promotion of neem-coated urea help reduce excess fertiliser runoff in Andhra Pradesh by encouraging balanced nutrient application and organic farming practices.

Infrastructure Upgrades

Schemes like AMRUT and the National River Conservation Plan support modernising sewage treatment infrastructure to limit nutrient discharge and restore water quality in urban and peri-urban areas.