SEWAGE WATER WILL FLOW INTO A POPULATED POND

SEWAGE WATER WILL FLOW INTO A POPULATED POND

12-FEB-ENG 14

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------A serious and worrying incident has emerged in Bhojpur district, challenging claims of environmental protection. Preparations are underway to pollute an ancient pond located in Ward 10 of the Shahpur Nagar Panchayat with sewage. The Nagar Panchayat administration is rapidly constructing a drain for this purpose, which is contrary to the Bihar government's water conservation policies.

According to information, this government pond in Shahpur, located in Ward 10, is not just a water source but an integral part of the local ecology and economy. As one of the major fairs, this pond is used for fish farming, which generates substantial revenue for the government. This not only adds to the government's coffers but also serves as an important source of livelihood. Consequently, the decision to pollute this vital water source raises many questions.

While the Bihar government is spending crores of rupees to renovate, de-encroach, and conserve ponds, lakes, and other water sources across the state under the ambitious "Water-Life-Greenery" campaign, the Shahpur Nagar Panchayat administration's decision to construct a drain to drain sewage into the pond directly violates the state government's policies and its commitment to environmental protection. This is a paradoxical situation, where a government body itself is undermining the principles and goals the state government strives to achieve.

If sewage is discharged into this pond, it will have dire and far-reaching consequences. First, the clean water in the pond will become contaminated, seriously endangering the lives of aquatic life, especially fish. The fish deaths will cause huge financial losses to those involved in fish farming, threatening their livelihoods. Consequently, the government's revenue from fish farming will also be affected.

This will also be a major tragedy from an environmental perspective. Contaminated water can emit a foul odor, making life difficult for people living nearby. Dirty water increases the risk of spreading various waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, jaundice, and diarrhea, adversely affecting the health of local residents. This risk can be even more severe for children and the elderly.