Open House: What needs to be done to free the buddha nullah of pollution?

Better wastewater treatment required

The Buddha Nullah, which runs through Malwa, is critical in providing essential water for the Ludhiana area’s food crops. However, the increasing pollution in this vital seasonal water stream raises serious environmental and health concerns. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently reported that pollution levels in the nullah have risen and are no longer conforming with standards, despite significant investments in its revitalisation. It is a harsh reality that the pollutants affecting this primary irrigation source in the region are toxic industrial discharges. These chemicals can cause nutrient overloading in water bodies, resulting in harmful algal blooms that deplete oxygen and damages aquatic ecosystem. Furthermore, untreated or poorly treated sewage that enters the nullah introduces pathogens and heavy metals. And when polluted water is used for irrigation, crops become contaminated, putting consumers’ health at risk. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies. Regulations limiting industrial pollutants must be enforced, and better wastewater treatment facilities should be constructed. Finally, protecting the Buddha Nullah’s health is critical to ensuring a safe and sustainable food supply in Ludhiana by addressing pollution at its source and implementing more eco-friendly practices.

Novin Christopher

Exploring all options

We are working hard to act against those still polluting the Buddha Nullah. Since the first-of-its-kind rejuvenation project was aimed at shedding the infamous ‘nullah’ tag from one of the most polluted waterbodies, running almost parallel to the Sutlej through most of the district, before merging with the river, we are exploring all options to make it happen. — Sakhsi Sawhney, Deputy Commissioner

Restoring ecological balance is paramount

Addressing pollution in the Buddha Nullah, a tributary of the Sutlej, requires a comprehensive strategy and good intentions. First and foremost, wholeheartedly implement effective sewage treatment facilities to ensure that industrial and domestic wastewater is properly treated before discharge. Second, strengthen the monitoring and enforcement of regulations for industries and local governments. Third, implement pollution prevention measures at the source, such as improving industrial processes and limiting the use of hazardous materials. Fourth, raise public awareness and community participation in pollution-reduction efforts, encouraging responsible behaviour and reporting of violations. Fifth, major clean-up operations are required to maintain ecological balance. Sixth, there is need to establish a robust monitoring system to track water quality and evaluate the efficacy of pollution control measures. Finally, government agencies, local governments, industries, and environmental organisations need to collaborate to address pollution.

Parmeet Kaur

Residents, authorities must join hands

Small-scale industries, dyeing facilities and dwelling units all contribute to the flow of untreated effluents into the nullah. Everyday, approximately 2,000 kilolitres of sewage is released into the Sutlej, which is a major source of concern. To free the Sutlej from pollution, industrialists should reduce their use of harmful fertilizers and install sewage treatment plants to clean water bodies. Furthermore, the government should strictly prohibit dumping of garbage, particularly plastics, as it is one of the leading causes of pollution not only in the Sutlej but also in all other nearby rivers. Finally, all of this would be possible if not only the government, but also we, the people, actively participated in rejuvenation efforts.

Prabhjit Bhardwaj

Multi-sectoral approach needed

Once a stream of clear water, the 14-km-long ‘Buddha Nullah’ passing through Ludhiana, carrying the city’s sewage, and industrial waste, discharges into the Sutlej at Walipur village. According to Balbir Singh Seechewal, a well-known environmentalist, Buddha Nullah is the most toxic waterbody in the state, threatening the lives of over 2 crore people in Punjab and Rajasthan. Slum-dwellers who live near the nullah consume contaminated water, which causes cancer, skin and stomach diseases. The much-hyped Rs 840 crore rejuvenation project of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, which was launched in 2021, has failed to produce the desired results, and polluted waters are now entering various villages, making lives miserable. Residents believe there is no concrete solution to these problems because politicians lack strong will. However, the administration and government claim they will be address the issue very soon. A multi-sectoral approach is required for the Buddha Nullah pollution problem. More STPs, ETPs, and CETPs should be installed at appropriate locations to clean domestic and industrial waste. Stop direct discharge from Tajpur road and Haibowal Dairy Complex units. Disconnect domestic sewage outlets that discharge into stormwater sewers. Slum colonies that discharge untreated sewage into the nullah should be relocated. The ETPs for large-scale dying units should be updated. Solid waste should not be dumped into the nullah. Modernise slaughterhouses. Illegal encroachments should be prevented on either side of the stream. As responsible citizens, we should limit the use of detergents and other chemicals in our daily lives. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) should take strict action against industrial units that discharge untreated effluents into the waterbody.

RS Sembhi

Stop dumping in the name of religion

The Buddha Nullah, formerly known as Buddha Dariya, has suffered significant degradation over time, primarily as a result of industrial pollution. The pollution has reduced this once-thriving waterway to a nullah, a shadow of its former self. There is an urgent need to restore this Sutlej tributary to its natural state. The first step in this process is to rigorously monitor the effluents produced by industries located along the nullah. It is critical to ensure that these industries follow the pollution control guidelines established by the authorities. The effluents frequently contain harmful chemicals, which degrade water quality and have a negative impact on the biodiversity. In addition to industrial pollutants, free-floating algae that thrive in polluted waters should be removed in a systematic manner, as they can disrupt the stream’s ecological balance. Another significant issue is the dumping of waste into the nullah, which is often done in the name of tradition or superstitions. This practice not only exacerbates pollution but also impedes efforts to clean the waterway. Individuals who engage in such activities should face severe penalties. Rejuvenating the dariya is a shared responsibility. By taking these steps and working together, we can revitalise and protect this vital waterway for future generations.

Kirandeep Kaur

Establish independent task force

The first step is to form a Buddha Nullah Task Force. It should be on duty round-the-clock, seven days a week to clean and monitor this tributary. This body should report directly to the CPCB and PPCB. There should be no involvement by the MC. This body should be given direct authority to impose penalties on anyone found polluting the nullah. It should be cleaned weekly, and proper green cover should be maintained along its banks.

Manish Dhawan

Develop remote sensing tech

Improving the conditions of the Sutlej tributary requires addressing a number of environmental and infrastructural challenges. Conducting workshops for local authorities and businesses on best practices for waste management and pollution control can also be beneficial. Improving legal frameworks and penalties for pollution and encroachment violations can help people adhere to the rules. Other suggestions include, developing and implementing advanced water treatment technologies, using real-time monitoring systems and remote sensing technologies to detect and respond to pollution incidents quickly. Every individual has a moral obligation to cleanliness, and advancement of society.

Manmeen Kaur

Stop treating stream like bin

It is disheartening to see the Buddha Nullah’s deterioration due to the pollutants released by Ludhiana industries. The government has made numerous efforts to clean up this Sutlej tributary, but no success has been achieved so far. I genuinely believe that instead of solely blaming the government, city residents can make a few efforts to clean the nullah. People have converted it into a ‘bin’ where they dispose of their garbage on a daily basis. Such individuals must be educated on the potential consequences of their actions. To this end, there’s a need to organise awareness camps. Ludhiana is an industrial hub, and industries regularly release pollutants into the nullah. The government should ban such industries from dumping toxic materials into the nullah. Regular cleaning drives should be organised not only by the government, but also by residents. It is high time to make the necessary efforts to save the Buddha Nullah.

Sukhman Kaur

Issue compounded by pervading corruption

The wait for the highly-polluted Buddha Nullah, a seasonal tributary of the Sutlej that flows through Ludhiana, to be transformed into Buddha Dariya appears to be endless. Despite the fact that the Rs 840-crore project has been nearly completed, the Municipal Corporation (MC) is still falling short of its goal of making it pollution-free. This is an unfortunate state-of-affairs. Recently, the Punjab Pollution Control Board told the National Green Tribunal that the nullah’s waters were unfit for irrigation purposes. So, once again, there is debate about where these funds are going and how they will affect residents. The NGT panel has asked the MC to make the nullah garbage-free, to increase staff at sewage treatment plants, to install CCTVs in treatment plants along the nullah, and to seal the points where the MC dumps untreated sewage. However, the issue is compounded, is not resolved, because of high level corruption in both the MC and the PPCB. People often cut corners for personal gain. This time, the NGT is determining individual responsibility for various divisions of the MC. Officials will have to act on it. To make it pollution-free, more effective steps are needed, such as regular audits of sources of pollution generated by chemical, dyeing and electroplating industrial units, the MC should corner corrupt employees who indulged in protecting erring units, educating all stakeholders about the value of good health and clean water for irrigation, the PPCB should heavily penalise industrial units that do not adhere to the guidelines. All of these measures have the potential to reduce pollution in Buddha Nullah.

Sukhdev Sharma

CPCB must enhance vigil for compliance

To rejuvenate the Buddha Nullah, immediate action is required to address industrial waste management and sewage treatment. The pollution control regulations should be strictly enforced. Industries along the nullah, particularly those in Ludhiana, should be required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to ensure that untreated industrial waste does not enter the water. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) should step up its monitoring to ensure compliance.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Factories should limit use of pesticides

The Buddha Nullah is a seasonal stream that flows through Malwa and empties into the Sutlej. Over time the stream has become a major source of pollution in the Sutlej. After the nullah enters the river, the pollution level increases from moderate to high for it is contaminated with untreated sewage from Ludhiana factories that is discharged directly into the stream. Second, some industries, such as iron mills, hosiery and leather units, have contributed significantly to the contamination of the nullah. These pollutants contain mercury, lead, arsenic, chromium, pesticides and other contaminants that pose a serious threat to the riverine ecosystem. To address the pollution, state agencies had planned two new sewage treatment plants. Factories should reduce their use of pesticides and fertilizers and implement a better water treatment system. Second, factories should have a proper arrangement for dumping untreated waste. The government should take strict action against the erring units.

Gauri Rampal

Impose stricter regulations, penalties

The Buddha Nullah used to be clean because it was associated with our Gurus, but now the rising pollution due a rising population has rendered it a nullah with pitch black waters. Industries dump chemical waste into such rivers, exacerbating the problem. To prevent this, the state government should take steps to clean it and impose new regulations and restrictions. For example, the government should prohibit untreated industrial waste from being discharged and limit people from dumping their own waste there.

Bimalpreet Kaur

Strictness, awareness needed to end travesty

The Buddha Nullah discharges the city’s domestic and industrial waste into the Sutlej at Walipur, where thousands of Malwa families consume its contaminated waters. There is a great need to raise awareness among people not to pollute the nullah because so many villages depend on it. Furthermore, the administration should take strict measures to control pollution in the waterbody. Awareness and strictness are both needed to put an end to this travesty.

Sucha Singh Sagar

QUESTION

A modern scientifically designed carcass utilisation plant set up at the cost of ~ 7.98 crore could not be put to use due to stiff resistance by residents living nearby for the past three years. What should be done to solve the long-standing issue?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to ludhianadesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (August 29)