During the nationwide lockdown, owing to the COVID-19 global health scare, people stayed indoors, and in a way, most human activities including commercial businesses came to a standstill. This paved the way for nature to heal itself completely. 

Interestingly, animals were reclaiming their territories, endangered species were spotted again and rivers started to look clean and clear. 

Lockdown brings blue skies and clean air to India.

Comparison: The Yamuna River in New Delhi on March 21, 2018, and on April 8, 2020. pic.twitter.com/NuXjk6xobq

— Daniel Edwards (@EDannyEdwards) April 12, 2020

In fact, during the lockdown, the river Yamuna’s transformation won everyone’s hearts as it was extremely polluted earlier. 

Once filled with toxic foam, the Yamuna waters turned blue and clear, taking many people by surprise. 

© BCCL

However, as the lockdown got lifted and people and factories resumed their normal lives, the river Yamuna has sadly gone back to its polluted condition. 

According to The New Indian Express, the unfortunate condition of the river is due to the high phosphate content following the discharge of toxic industrial pollutants like detergent into the river. 

© WordsSlay Twitter

“Earlier, during the days of coronavirus lockdown, Yamuna was clear but now it is covered with dirt. We are not able to breathe properly as air pollution is increasing day by day. The government is doing its own course but we as a citizen should also take steps to combat the situation. People should not throw the dirt into the river,” said a local, BS Rawat. 

#WATCH A thick layer of toxic foam on the surface of Yamuna river seen at Kalindi Kunj in #Delhi pic.twitter.com/o4jyL7xwvE

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2020

After seeing the video, people online were left heartbroken and speechless. They couldn’t believe that this is the very Yamuna which was clear blue a few months back. 

As humans, we have failed to protect our nature yet again. Such a shame. 

Here’s how people reacted to this sad development: 

It's a collection of 18 drains flowing into it, carrying a toxic cocktail of sewage, chemicals, detergents, industrial waste, and excreta." Less than 10% of the sewage discharged into the river is treated, putting millions of people who use the water at risk of disease. https://t.co/1WOcTnJxR7

— 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑮𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 (@justwantthisway) November 4, 2020

And we are back to where we deserve to be - HELL https://t.co/lcQBvf7Wda

— vipra shrivastava (@Vipra_s) November 4, 2020

Now , humanity is healing and coming back to its routine life. https://t.co/rb5yb4tDSW

— Y (@Zaharistocrate) November 4, 2020

Nature was healing back during lockdown and now this , dont tell me humans are not the problem. https://t.co/Lw9GOJ0Hsk

— Sanskriti (@ThatStarGazer) November 4, 2020

The state of one of the biggest rivers in India. https://t.co/3EWUWZ0FEv

— Parth Choudhari (@parthc98) November 4, 2020

@ErikSolheim @FFFIndia @GretaThunberg
Pollution at its peak in delhi, air pollution crossing the previous day records and water pollution only god shall know it's severity. Just imagine the damage to the life in the river which is full of pollution.#saveyamuna https://t.co/peJr4VTdT9

— POTHIREDDY SAI SARAN REDDY (@Saisaran1701) November 4, 2020 

As human beings, we should be ashamed to have ruined nature like this. When will we learn from our mistakes?

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