Bioremediation is emerging as a low-cost and key sustainable tool for India’s worsening pollution crisis.

Bioremediation

• Bioremediation is the process of treating and detoxifying environmental contaminants (oil, pesticides, plastics, sewage, heavy metals etc.) in soil, water or other environments by taking advantage of natural biological processes.
• It can be done using plants (phytoremediation), microbes (biostimulation), fungi (mycoremediation) or even animals such as fish (biomanipulation).
• Types of Bioremediation:
• In situ – Treatment at the contaminated site (e.g., oil-eating bacteria like Oilzapper sprayed on spills).
• Ex situ – Contaminated material is removed, and treated in a facility using methods like biopiles, bioreactors composting etc.

Significance of Bioremediation

• Affordability: Traditional clean-up methods are expensive and energy-intensive while bioremediation offers low-cost solution. 
• Ecosystem Restoration: Bioremediation tend to be less invasive and enhances existing biological processes without disrupting already stressed ecosystem. 
• Rich Microbial Diversity: India’s rich microbial biodiversity offers locally adapted strains that can provide sustainable locally managed solutions.

Challenges in its application

• Risk of ecological imbalance: If not controlled properly microbes, especially genetically modified strains may disrupt the balance.
• Slow rate of treatment: Industries and cities often prefer faster solutions due to commercial and political pressure.
• Lack of standard protocols: India lacks unified bioremediation standards, and clear rules for microbial products which deter large scale adoption.