This story is from July 13, 2019

Farmers use toxic drain water to grow veggies in north-west Delhi

Mungeshpur drain, one of the longest in north-west Delhi and part of the Najafgarh basin, paints a jarring picture amid the greenery dotted with farms growing vegetables and mustard.
Farmers use toxic drain water to grow veggies in north-west Delhi
Villagers said the colour of the water in the drain and all the foam make it evident that the water isn’t normal
NEW DELHI: Mungeshpur drain, one of the longest in north-west Delhi and part of the Najafgarh basin, paints a jarring picture amid the greenery dotted with farms growing vegetables and mustard. The colour of the drain that passes through Mungeshpur and Qutubgarh villages is almost blood-red, with parts of it full of foam due to effluents emptied into it by nearby industries.

In a hazardous practice, local farmers use water from the drain to water their farms. They say the deadly mixture of toxic chemicals act as rasainik khaad (fertiliser), helping them save money on fertiliser and urea. Moreover, the groundwater table in the area, they claim, has rapidly deteriorated over the years. But this comes at great cost. Dinesh Rana from Qutubgarh says that cases of cancer in the village have gone up at least seven times in the past 10 years.
Farmers see red, but can’t help it
Rajpal Rana, another Qutubgarh local who has been farming in the village since 2003, said, “We know the vegetables we grow are injurious to health. But we don’t have an option.”
Rana started using water from the drain sporadically in 2008, but now solely relies on this water. Rana, who took over the reins from his father in 2003, said the increasing cost of fertilizers and pesticides pushed him further towards using drain water .
“There is a shortage of water in this area and it takes time through tubewells. The cost of installing a tubewell is around Rs 70,000 to 80,000. The cost of fertilizers and manure is additional and that makes it extremely difficult for us farmers to grow a good crop each year. The water acts as a fertilizer and fulfils the water demand. We know it is harmful, but we cannot help it,” said Rana.

Dinesh Rana, another Qutubgarh local says some farmers are starting to realise the problems arising out of the polluted drain, but most are helpless.
Rana holds up a 2015 NGT order which was issued against 21highly polluting industries in Sonipat, primarily dealing in things like pyrolysis oil, tyre ingredients, ‘katha’ dye and other hazardous chemicals. With the village located right next to the Haryana border, Dinesh says they receive a major brunt of the pollution through these industrial units which empty their dyes and effluents in the drain.
“Some were sealed. A number of industries like these have resumed operations. The water and the foam make it evident that this is not normal water. We have seen industries even dump effluents by the truckload at night,” said Dinesh Rana, covering his face with a handkerchief.
“Cancer cases are also increasing in our village. If there was one cancer case a decade ago, now there are 7 or 8,” he added.
The drain eventually joins Najafgarh drain before emptying into the Yamuna. Manoj Mishra, convener of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan says until such industries are stopped from causing pollution, Yamuna is not likely to see any improvement soon.
“Industrial pollution from Najagarh drain is largely from the Haryana side. Mungeshpur drain is a bigculprit. If you notice the water quality of the Najafgarh drain before Gurgaon and after it, you will see a considerable difference. It is evident the effluent is finding its way into the Yamuna and affecting all locals that come in its way,” said Mishra.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA