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Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
River pollution: Goa among 10 states yet to send info to NGT
Panaji: Goa is one of ten states which has not yet submitted to the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) its report on 'critical pollution' of some of its rivers. The NGT has granted Goa four more weeks to respond. The tribunal had sought a report from states on compliance with its directions of 2020 in which it asked states to implement facilities for treating 100% of the sewage generated in their regions. The tribunal had taken suo moto cognisance of a report of the Central Pollution Control Board which found that 351 stretches on 323 rivers in the country were critically polluted, and the report asked for their rejuvenation to be prioritised. In Goa, 11 rivers were found to be polluted including stretches of the Sal (Khareband to Mobor), Mandovi (Marcel to Volvoi), Talpona (along Canacona), Assonora (Assonora to Sirsaim), Bicholim (Bicholim to Curchirem), Chapora (Pernem to Morjim), Khandepar (Ponda to Opa), Sinquerim (along Candolim), Tiracol (along Tiracol), Valvant (Sanquelim to Bicholim, Poriem), and Zuari (Curchorem to Madkai). 'The material pointed out by the applicants (states) indicates that the order of the tribunal has not been implemented by all the states in true letter and spirit till now,' the NGT said in Oct 2023. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 'Hence, we issue a notice to chief secretaries of all the states and the secretary of the ministry of jal shakti with the direction to submit the report in respect of compliance of the order of the tribunal.' However, Goa is among the states which have not submitted its report for seven months now. The tribunal will next hear the matter on Sep 22. Based on NGT orders, a state river rejuvenation committee (RRC-Goa) was formed, which monitors the initiative to improve rivers' water quality. Last year, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) data indicated that water quality in eight of the rivers was now satisfactory. However, it acknowledged that sewage contamination is the major cause of the poor quality of water in the rivers of Mapusa, Sal, Zuari, Tiracol, and Sinquerim. The Water Quality Index for the rivers of Chapora, Kalna, Assonora, Valvanti, Mhadei, Khandepar, Khushawati, and Talpona were found to be satisfactory.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hit by rapid depletion, Mansa groundwater now faces nitrate, fluoride contamination: Study
Chandigarh: With groundwater depletion worsening in Punjab, a study has raised serious concern over groundwater quality in Punjab's Mansa district. It has highlighted a growing threat from nitrate and fluoride contamination posing significant public health risks in one of the state's most water-stressed regions. As groundwater depletion and contamination worsen in southwestern Punjab, primarily due to heavy reliance on underground water in the absence of adequate surface water, the study was undertaken to assess the extent of nitrate and fluoride pollution in Mansa. Researchers collected 246 randomly selected, grid-based groundwater samples and conducted a comprehensive analysis of key physicochemical parameters, including cations, anions, nitrate, and fluoride concentrations. The findings were concerning: 23.2% of the samples showed nitrate levels exceeding the recommended limits, while 12.6% had fluoride concentrations above permissible levels. According to the Water Quality Index (WQI), 24.6% of groundwater samples were classified as unsuitable for drinking, 36.6% as very poor, 27.2% as poor, and only 11.8% were considered good. The southern blocks of Budhlada, Jhunir, and Sardoolgarh emerged as the most severely affected, while Bhikhi block in the north was the least impacted. Although fluoride presented a relatively lower health risk across most areas—except Sardoolgarh, where children were particularly vulnerable—nitrate pollution was found to be a district-wide concern. Drinking water with nitrate levels above 45 mg/L is known to cause methemoglobinemia, or "blue baby syndrome", in infants. Hydrogeochemical analysis identified sodium-chloride as the dominant groundwater type, followed by mixed and sodium-sulfate-bicarbonate compositions. Elevated electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids indicated high concentrations of total salts, suggesting intensified geochemical activity. The study, titled 'Hydrogeochemical Characterisation and Geospatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Alluvial Aquifer of Southwestern Punjab in Association with Health Risk Assessment Due to Nitrate and Fluoride Pollution', was conducted by Jashandeep Singh Sidhu, Sumita Chandel, Sashikant Sahoo, Dhanwinder Singh, Kuldip Singh, Mohit Arora, and Harsimran Kaur. It was published in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Researchers strongly advocate for immediate and sustained intervention. Key recommendations include promoting integrated nutrient and water management to limit fertiliser overuse, encouraging a shift from high nitrogen-demanding crops to legumes, adopting more efficient irrigation techniques such as micro and furrow irrigation, and prioritising drought-tolerant, short-duration crop varieties to reduce nitrate leaching. The study also calls for regular groundwater quality monitoring to guide targeted management strategies. Highlighting elevated health risks, especially for children, researchers stressed the need for investigation into sustainable, cost-effective solutions to mitigate groundwater pollution. The findings serve as a timely warning for policymakers, environmental authorities, and the agricultural community to prioritise water safety and public health before the situation worsened.
