India's Untreated Wastewater: A Costly Oversight in the Fishery Sector

A study reveals that India's fishery sector incurs over USD 2 billion in losses annually due to untreated wastewater contaminating waterways. Furthermore, inadequate wastewater management leads to USD 246 million in annual healthcare costs from diarrhoea. The focus is on improving infrastructure and repurposing wastewater to alleviate the issue.

India's fishery sector suffers enormous economic losses as a result of untreated wastewater contaminating vital waterways, a new study reveals. Unveiled during the World Ocean Summit, the report outlines losses exceeding USD 2 billion annually, a stark warning that underscores the need for improved wastewater management.

The study, conducted by ocean health initiative Back to Blue and the Ocean Sewage Alliance, highlights the significant ramifications faced by Brazil, India, Kenya, the Philippines, and the UK due to insufficient wastewater treatment. In India, the sector loses 5.4% of its economic value annually, threatening both domestic food security and lucrative export markets.

Experts stress that proactive investment in sewage and wastewater infrastructure could provide viable solutions. While the current wastewater treatment rate stands at a mere 21%, pressing forward with innovations and circular economy strategies can help harness wastewater's potential as organic fertilizer, biogas, or renewable energy sources.

(With inputs from agencies.)