April 16, 2025
- To maintain water quality and reduce pollution in the water bodies of Karnataka, the Karnataka state government has prohibited the sale of products such as shampoos, soaps and detergents close to water bodies.
- As per this order, the sale of polluting items within 500mts of water bodies, especially at pilgrimage locations, will be stopped.
- According to Karnataka’s Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre, pilgrims bathing in water bodies at religious sites often litter the place with leftover soap and other items, including clothes, which ultimately pollute lakes, rivers and other sources of water.
- These pollutants not only affect the quality of water, but also threaten aquatic creatures.
- 17 river stretches in Karnataka are classified as polluted.
Image for representational purposes
ACTIVITY: Polluting Cleansers
List 5 ways in which soaps and shampoos pollute waterbodies.
