The water in Bandi river in Rajasthan's Pali district has turned remarkably blue. The river acquired this hue as a direct result of the large quantity of effluents discharged into it by approximately 500 nearby textile dyeing factories. The presence of effluents has contaminated the river course and groundwater along the banks uptil as far as 55 kms and made the water unfit for drinking and irrigation.
In 2008, a study of groundwater in Pali by the Centre for Science and Environment found eighty per cent of the sample water to be unfit for drinking. It also found acute contamination of wells due to discharge of half of the town’s untreated effluent.
The samples showed high alkaline and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels indicating significant massive organic impurities. The quantity of total dissolved solids was four times greater than the normal.
After the fabric is dyed in textile dyeing factories, the excess chemical water is sent to the effluent treatment plant to maintain right amount of COD, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
The chemical-laden water emanating from dyeing factories entering common effluent treatment plant. After treatment, this water is discharged into the Bandi river.
"Roughly 25 years ago, this land was green. Vegetables and fruits could be seen all over. People from nearby villages would come to get water and vegetables from here. Now since it is barren, we are completely ruined with no means of employment. Everyone is leaving the village to work in other states," says 77-year-old local villager Nathu Daan.
In May 2018, while hearing a 2012 petition filed by Mahavir Sukarlai of Pali’s community-based organisation 'Kisan Paryavaran Sangharsh Samiti', the National Green Tribunal declared the water of Bandi River unsuitable for irrigation on the basis of inspection report presented by its surveillance committee.
The report found the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the groundwater in the area to be 9,000 mg/l, compared to 400-1,600 mg/l in the surrounding area, and held the textile dyeing units responsible for polluting the river as well as the groundwater.
The contamination is still persisting inspite of 2012 Rajasthan High Court ruling that prohibits release of treated or untreated water in the Bandi river.
The National Green Tribunal instructed union Agriculture Secretary and Rajasthan state government to evaluate the loss incurred by the farmers due to the damage done to the agricultural land as a result of water contamination. The purpose was to determine the accurate amount of compensation for the farmers.
The village elders hopelessly discuss how to resolve the water crisis. They demand zero liquid discharge from factories and cleaning of river so that soil around the river becomes fertile again and they can enjoy their right to live.
Working on this story was not easy because of extreme heat condition, but here we are.
Ciao.
