Bindal, Rispana and Suswa rivers more contaminated than last year

DEHRADUN : The water of local rivers of Dehradun like Bindal, Rispana and Suswa has seen a 10 to 15% rise in the presence of hazardous chemicals and pollutants compared to last year. This was revealed in a survey done by Doon-based NGOs Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECS) and Just Open Yourself (JOY). Around 24 samples were collected from May 8 to 19 from these water bodies which after analysis were found to contain heavy metal, oil and grease, fecal and non-fecal coliform all of which can cause serious ailments in human beings. The survey found that wildlife of Rajaji Tiger Reserve is also likely to get affected by these pollutants since they, too, drink the polluted water of Suswa river, which flows through the forest area.

Brij Mohan Sharma, secretary SPECS said, “All the three rivers, Suswa, Rispana and Bindal, contains toxins like Chromium, Zinc, Iron, Lead, Manganese, oil and grease which are very harmful for the health of soil and aquifers. This way their presence directly affects human life, aquatic species as well as agriculture.”

With regard to presence of heavy metal toxicity, oil and grease, fecal and non fecal coliform, he said that these hazardous component can result in damaging central nervous function, poor reproductive health, lower energy levels, and damage to blood composition, lungs, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs of human body.

He expressed surprise that on one hand, the state government is taking measures to rejuvenate Rispana river and on the hand, it has laid sewer pipes in the middle of the river which does not happen usually.

The pollution in Suswa river has also become a threat to the wild animals of Raja Ji National Park. “Suswa river is the lifeline of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The wild animals can not complain about the polluted water nor of its effects on them . This will go unnoticed unless it result into some kind of outbreak of diseases in animals, “ he added.

Jai Sharma, president of JOY said, “Long-term exposure to the toxins will give rise to physical, muscular, and neurological degeneration leading to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis.” He further added saying, “Allergies are not uncommon and repeated long-term contact with some metals or their compounds may even cause cancer.

Shankar Bhatia, resident of Dudhli village said, “Many people of my village have been gripped by cancer. Few have died in the past. We hold the contaminated water of Suswa river responsible for people becoming victim to cancer and other diseases. It is pity that the state government is paying no heed on the findings of annual surveys by SPECS.” SPECS has been campaigning for water quality of rivers and potable water for the last two decades. The villagers of Mothrowala, Dudhli, Nagal, Bundawala, Jwalapur, Jhandod ,Markham Grant and SPECS filed a writ in 2016 to the Human Rights Commission against contaminated water supplied to the residents through various tributaries like Rispana, Bindal and Suswa .