A river reduced to waste

By Eeshal Farooq

If you stand near the banks of the Ravi River today, you might not even recognise it as a river. It barely seems alive. The air smells harsh, and the water is neither blue nor brown; instead, it is thick, murky, black, and lifeless. It looks more like a scene from a dystopian film than the once-majestic river that nourished fields, sustained communities, and helped build Lahore into the cultural capital it is today. It forces an uncomfortable question: how did a river once full of life become so toxic?

The answer becomes clearer when we look at scientific evidence. Recent investigations have revealed alarming levels of pollution in the Ravi River and its surrounding groundwater. A study conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, and published in August 2025, reported high concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and soil samples. These chemicals pose serious environmental and health risks due to their persistence and tendency to accumulate in living organisms. Additional research shows that groundwater in the Ravi floodplain contains elevated arsenic levels, with nearly half of the tested wells exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limits, exposing communities that rely on this water for drinking and irrigation to significant health risks.

What turned the Ravi from a flowing river into a conduit of wastewater? The transformation is largely the result of the daily discharge of more than 500 million gallons of untreated sewage, most of it originating in Lahore. This waste flows from homes, restaurants, hospitals, and factories, travelling through major drains such as Mehmood Booti, Shadbagh, and Hudiara before being released directly into the river without any treatment.

Industrial activity compounds the crisis. Lahore is home to hundreds of textile mills, dyeing units, chemical factories, and leather tanneries, many of them located close to the Ravi or in northern industrial zones. Under the law, these industries are required to treat their wastewater through effluent treatment plants. In practice, however, only around 20% operate fully functional and compliant systems, leaving the vast majority of industrial waste untreated. Despite the scale of contamination, official records from the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency show just 38 complaints related to untreated wastewater, compared with 458 complaints about air pollution. The figures point to a troubling imbalance in public concern, with water pollution largely ignored.

The consequences extend far beyond the river itself. Communities living near the Ravi suffer widespread waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, gastrointestinal infections, and cholera, as untreated sewage and industrial waste seep into drinking water sources. Surveys and water quality testing in the Ravi basin reveal stark public health risks. Around 19% of households reported illnesses linked to contaminated water, while 25% of water samples exceeded WHO standards for E. coli. A further 17% contained pathogens responsible for typhoid, diarrhoea, and hepatitis. Farmers also report frequent illnesses among cattle that drink from the Ravi or nearby ponds.

The environmental damage is equally severe. The Ravi ranks among the most pharmaceutically polluted rivers in the world. Residues of paracetamol, nicotine, caffeine, and other drugs have been detected, according to a global study by researchers at the University of York, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Satellite imagery has provided a stark visual record of the river’s decline, and its fragile capacity for recovery. Analysis of European Space Agency Sentinel data captured throughout 2025 shows a dramatic “before and after” contrast. In May 2025, the Ravi appeared as little more than a narrow, dark channel dominated by untreated wastewater. By August, monsoon floods had transformed the landscape, allowing the river to reclaim encroached floodplains and flush out sludge with fresh, sediment-rich water.

When the floodwaters receded by December 2025, the river returned to its degraded state and dark coloration. Yet the imagery revealed a significant secondary effect: the natural emergence of vegetation along the river’s edges. Experts describe this spontaneous greening as a dynamic response and a sign of the river’s innate healing capacity. The findings suggest that if consistent environmental flows are maintained, the Ravi retains the resilience to recover.

In response to mounting concerns, the Ravi Urban Development Authority was established in 2020 under the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project to oversee planning and development along the river. While the authority is meant to support environmental restoration, much of its early work has focused on land planning, housing, and urban expansion. The project has faced legal challenges and criticism over land use and environmental priorities, reflecting unresolved debates about how best to address the river’s pollution.

At a broader level, the Punjab Irrigation, Drainage and Rivers Act, 2023, was introduced to give the provincial government stronger authority over rivers, canals, and drainage systems. Meanwhile, the Babu Sabu Wastewater Treatment Plant, approved in March 2025, is expected to become a landmark intervention. Once operational, it is anticipated to significantly reduce the daily flow of untreated sewage into the Ravi, marking a critical step towards restoring one of Pakistan’s most polluted rivers.

Yet a crucial question remains: where is civil society in all this? Public awareness of the Ravi’s pollution remains low, and many residents underestimate the associated health risks. Although authorities have launched some community and educational initiatives, warning signs and outreach efforts remain limited. Without an informed and engaged public, even the strongest policies are likely to falter. Schools, mosques, local leaders, and the media all have a vital role to play in raising awareness and mobilising action to protect both the river and public health.

There are lessons to be drawn from elsewhere. The River Thames in London, once declared biologically dead, has been revived through strict environmental regulation, sustained investment in sewage treatment, and strong public support. In India, the Ganges is seeing gradual improvements under the Namami Gange programme, which combines government intervention with community engagement to reduce pollution and restore the river.

The way forward for the Ravi is clear, even if it is difficult. Sewage treatment plants must be completed without further delay. Industries must install and properly maintain treatment systems. Regular inspections and strict penalties must be enforced, illegal dumping must be halted, and drains must be cleaned and continuously monitored. Most importantly, public awareness must be raised through sustained community and media campaigns. Above all, the government must begin to treat the Ravi not as a waste channel, but as a vital public resource, one that sustains life, culture, and the future of Punjab.

 (The writer is a student and a young environmentalist and may be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)