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{{Short description|Stream in India}} |
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'''Buddha Nullah''' or '''Buddha Nala''' ({{ |
'''Buddha Nullah''' or '''Buddha Nala''' ({{langx|pa|ਬੁੱਢਾ ਨਾਲ਼ਾ}}) is a seasonal water stream, which runs through the [[Malwa (Punjab)|Malwa]] region of [[Punjab, India]], and after passing through highly populated [[Ludhiana district]], [[Punjab, India]], it drains into [[Sutlej River]], a tributary of the [[Indus River]]. Today, it has also become a major source of pollution in the region as well the main Sutlej river, as it gets polluted after entering the highly populated and industrialized [[Ludhiana|Ludhiana city]], turning it into an open drain. Also, since large area in south-western Punjab solely depend on the canal water for irrigation, and water from Buddha Nullah enters various canals after Harike waterworks near [[Firozpur]], thus affecting far-reaching areas such as [[Malout]], [[Zira, Punjab|Zira]], upper [[Lambi, Muktsar|Lambi]], while the areas being fed by [[Sirhind]] feeder, are the most-affected by its pollution.<ref name=ex>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/buddha-nullah-the-toxic-vein-of-malwa/312236/|title=Buddha Nullah the toxic vein of Malwa|date=21 May 2008|work=Indian Express|access-date=16 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005151212/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/buddha-nullah-the-toxic-vein-of-malwa/312236/|archive-date=5 October 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In 2006, a Ludhiana-based human rights |
In 2006, a Ludhiana-based human rights organization, filed a case regarding the state of this nullah in the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) and even invited environmentalist, [[Balbir Singh Seechewal]], who had earlier cleaned the 164-km-long highly polluted Kali Bein rivulet with the help of his followers and without the government aid, to take the cause of cleaning up the nullah.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=209719|title=Baba Seechewal urged to clean Buddha Nullah|date=15 November 2006|work=Indian Express}}{{dead link|date=February 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |
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A study conducted by [[Punjab Agricultural University]] in 2008, revealed presence of toxins and heavy metals in the food chain due to use of its water, to cultivate vegetables and other crops. |
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| ⚫ | Buddha [[Nullah]], literally |
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This was followed by another study by the School of Public Health, Department of Community Medicine, [[PGIMER]], Chandigarh, and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), which also showed [[heptachlor]], beta-[[endosulphan]] and [[chlorpyrifos]] pesticides in concentrations exceeding the maximum residue limit in samples of ground and canal water used for drinking, the [[pesticide]]s were also detected in fodder, vegetables, blood, bovine and human milk samples, indicating that these have entered the food chain due to the use of agricultural run-off and irrigation of field with drain water. With increasing poisoning of the soil, the region once hailed as the home to the [[Green Revolution]], now due to excessive use of chemical fertilizer, is being termed the "Other [[Bhopal tragedy|Bhopal]]", and "even credit-takers of the Revolution have begun to admit they had been wrong, now that they see wastelands and lives lost to farmer suicides in this "granary of India".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/2010/06/09212410/LAWS-TO-TACKLE-OTHER-8216BH.html?atype=tp|title=Laws To Tackle Other 'Bhopals'|date=10 June 2010|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]}}</ref> |
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The water of the stream is polluted after it enters Ludhiana City.<ref name=ba>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/Baba-Seechewal-plays-on-environment-issue/articleshow/4366989.cms Baba Seechewal plays on environment issue] ''The Times of India'', 6 Apr 2009.</ref> Buddha Nullah used to be a fresh water channel with about 56 types of fish species prior to 1964. Now it has no fish because of the high level toxicity in the water. It is now an open sewer rather than a stream. Once an asset to the city, the Nullah is now a source of public nuisance and poses a serious health hazard.<ref name=tr/> |
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| ⚫ | Buddha [[Nullah]], literally means ''Old rivulet or watercourse.'' It originates at village Koom Kalan of Ludhiana and it runs parallel to the [[Satluj]] on its south for a fairly large section of its course in the [[Ludhiana district]] and ultimately joins the Satluj at ''[[Walipur Kalan]]'' in the northwestern corner of the district. Cities of [[Ludhiana]] and [[Machhiwara]] are situated to the south of the Buddha Nala. |
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The megacity has no sewage treatment plant. Untreated domestic and industrial sewerage of the city is emptied into Buddha Nullah.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070501/ldh1.htm Near Haibowal, cause is Buddha Nullah stench], ''The Tribune'', 1 May 2007.</ref> The nullah, in turn, empties into the mighty Sutlej flowing nearby. Hundreds of tonnes of raw sewage from Ludhiana flows into the Sutlej every day and is distributed all over the state through irrigation canals. This polluted water is in turn used for growing food crops, vegetables and fruits and is a known carrier of diseases. According to the State Department of Fisheries the pollution of the Buddha Nullah has led to the drastic reduction in the fish yield in river Sutlej.<ref name=tr>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/50yrs/environ1.htm Ludhiana heading for a Bhopal-like tragedy Punjab rivers are now heavily polluted] by A. S. Prashar. ''The Tribune'', August, 1997.</ref> |
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A joint study by [[PGIMER]] and Punjab Pollution Control Board in 2008, revealed that in villages along the Nullah, calcium, magnesium, fluoride, mercury, beta-endosulphan and heptachlor were more than permissible limit (MPL) in ground and tap waters. Plus the water had high concentration of COD and BOD (chemical and biochemical oxygen demand), ammonia, phosphate, chloride, chromium, arsenic and chlorpyrifos. The ground water also contains nickel and selenium, while the tap water has high concentration of lead, nickel and cadmium.<ref name=ex/> According to PPCB, the nullah water requires a sewage treatment capacity of at least {{convert|150|e6impgal|m3}} per day for treatment while present sewage treatment plants at Jamlapur, Nalloke and Bhattian have a combined capacity of 311 MLD.<ref name=ex>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/buddha-nullah-the-toxic-vein-of-malwa/312236/|title=Buddha Nullah the toxic vein of Malwa|date=21 May 2008|work=Indian Express|access-date=16 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005151212/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/buddha-nullah-the-toxic-vein-of-malwa/312236/#|archive-date=5 October 2012|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In June 2009, Ludhiana district administration imposed article 144 around the nullah, banning the throwing of garbage in it, but in the following months it was scarcely implemented, despite public outcry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5324092.cms|title=Pollution in Buddha Nullah on the rise|date=11 December 2009|work=The Times of India|first1=Manvinder|last1=Singh}}</ref> In the following month, the Government of Punjab, allocated Rs. 500 million for the cleaning up of the nullah.,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090708/punjab.htm#4|title=Rs 50 cr for Buddha Nullah cleaning|date=8 July 2009|work=The Tribune}}</ref> and in August, the municipal corporation in a demolition drive, removed a large number of illegal encroachments from both sides of the nullah.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4864429.cms|title=Encroachments on banks of Buddha Nullah cleared|date=6 August 2009|work=The Times of India|first1=Manvinder|last1=Singh}}</ref> |
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In 2020 Punjab Government approved a Rs650 crore project for rejuvenation of polluted Nullah, Chief Minister asked local government to complete project under 2 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-07 |title=Ludhiana: Rs 650 crore plan for Buddha Nullah clean-up |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/rs-650cr-plan-for-buddha-nullah-clean-up/articleshow/73130198.cms |access-date=2024-04-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |
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In 2010, water samples taken from the Nullah, showed [[Heavy metal (chemistry)|heavy metal]] content as quite high and the presence of [[uranium]] 1½ times the reference range. For example, [[chromium]] was 50 times the reference range, aluminum and iron 20 and 60 times higher, while concentration of silver, manganese, nickel and lead was equally high.<ref name="mt">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Parts-of-Raj-Malwa-drinking-poison/articleshow/6052988.cms|title=Parts of Raj, Malwa drinking poison?|date=16 June 2010 | work=The Times of India|first1=IP|last1=Singh}}</ref> |
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In December 2022, the testing of newly built treatment plants began.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-30 |title=Project to rejuvenate Buddha Nullah: Testing begins at newly constructed STP in Ludhiana |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ludhiana/project-rejuvenate-buddha-nullah-ludhiana-8352944/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |
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===Response=== |
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| ⚫ | In June 2009, Ludhiana district administration imposed article 144 around the nullah, banning the throwing of garbage in it, but in the following months it was scarcely implemented, despite public outcry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5324092.cms|title=Pollution in Buddha Nullah on the rise|date=11 December 2009|work=The Times of India|first1=Manvinder|last1=Singh}}</ref> In the following month, the Government of Punjab, allocated Rs. 500 |
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In 2023, 95% of the work was done and in same year, 31 December was marked deadline after already missing five dates due to delay caused by COVID-19. The project was taken as the top most priority and the work was progressing fast to meet the deadline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2023 |title=95% rejuvenation done, Buddha Nullah close to turn into river |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/95-rejuvenation-done-buddha-nullah-close-to-turn-into-river-576024 |website=The Tribune India}}</ref> |
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On 4 April 2011 Indian Ministry for Environment and Forests has decided to launch "In Situ Bio-Remediation Project" on Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana.<ref>Ludhiana’s Buddha Nullah Gets in Situ Bio-Remediation Project http://abclive.in/environment/160-ludhiana-buddha-nullah-in-situ-bio-remediation-project.html</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Hydrography of Punjab, India}} |
{{Hydrography of Punjab, India}} |
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{{coord|30.931|75.977|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Ludhiana district]] |
[[Category:Ludhiana district]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:12, 11 November 2024
Buddha Nullah or Buddha Nala (Punjabi: ਬੁੱਢਾ ਨਾਲ਼ਾ) is a seasonal water stream, which runs through the Malwa region of Punjab, India, and after passing through highly populated Ludhiana district, Punjab, India, it drains into Sutlej River, a tributary of the Indus River. Today, it has also become a major source of pollution in the region as well the main Sutlej river, as it gets polluted after entering the highly populated and industrialized Ludhiana city, turning it into an open drain. Also, since large area in south-western Punjab solely depend on the canal water for irrigation, and water from Buddha Nullah enters various canals after Harike waterworks near Firozpur, thus affecting far-reaching areas such as Malout, Zira, upper Lambi, while the areas being fed by Sirhind feeder, are the most-affected by its pollution.[1]
In 2006, a Ludhiana-based human rights organization, filed a case regarding the state of this nullah in the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) and even invited environmentalist, Balbir Singh Seechewal, who had earlier cleaned the 164-km-long highly polluted Kali Bein rivulet with the help of his followers and without the government aid, to take the cause of cleaning up the nullah.[2]
A study conducted by Punjab Agricultural University in 2008, revealed presence of toxins and heavy metals in the food chain due to use of its water, to cultivate vegetables and other crops.
This was followed by another study by the School of Public Health, Department of Community Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), which also showed heptachlor, beta-endosulphan and chlorpyrifos pesticides in concentrations exceeding the maximum residue limit in samples of ground and canal water used for drinking, the pesticides were also detected in fodder, vegetables, blood, bovine and human milk samples, indicating that these have entered the food chain due to the use of agricultural run-off and irrigation of field with drain water. With increasing poisoning of the soil, the region once hailed as the home to the Green Revolution, now due to excessive use of chemical fertilizer, is being termed the "Other Bhopal", and "even credit-takers of the Revolution have begun to admit they had been wrong, now that they see wastelands and lives lost to farmer suicides in this "granary of India".[3]
Geology
[edit]Buddha Nullah, literally means Old rivulet or watercourse. It originates at village Koom Kalan of Ludhiana and it runs parallel to the Satluj on its south for a fairly large section of its course in the Ludhiana district and ultimately joins the Satluj at Walipur Kalan in the northwestern corner of the district. Cities of Ludhiana and Machhiwara are situated to the south of the Buddha Nala.
Presently, sewage treatment plants of 466 MLD (48 MLD at Jamalpur, 111 & 50 MLD at Bhattian and 152 & 105MLD at Balloke) are operational for the treatment of the sewage of Ludhiana city.
Pollution
[edit]In June 2009, Ludhiana district administration imposed article 144 around the nullah, banning the throwing of garbage in it, but in the following months it was scarcely implemented, despite public outcry.[4] In the following month, the Government of Punjab, allocated Rs. 500 million for the cleaning up of the nullah.,[5] and in August, the municipal corporation in a demolition drive, removed a large number of illegal encroachments from both sides of the nullah.[6]
In 2020 Punjab Government approved a Rs650 crore project for rejuvenation of polluted Nullah, Chief Minister asked local government to complete project under 2 years.[7]
In December 2022, the testing of newly built treatment plants began.[8]
In 2023, 95% of the work was done and in same year, 31 December was marked deadline after already missing five dates due to delay caused by COVID-19. The project was taken as the top most priority and the work was progressing fast to meet the deadline.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Buddha Nullah the toxic vein of Malwa". Indian Express. 21 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
- ^ "Baba Seechewal urged to clean Buddha Nullah". Indian Express. 15 November 2006.[dead link]
- ^ "Laws To Tackle Other 'Bhopals'". Mint. 10 June 2010.
- ^ Singh, Manvinder (11 December 2009). "Pollution in Buddha Nullah on the rise". The Times of India.
- ^ "Rs 50 cr for Buddha Nullah cleaning". The Tribune. 8 July 2009.
- ^ Singh, Manvinder (6 August 2009). "Encroachments on banks of Buddha Nullah cleared". The Times of India.
- ^ "Ludhiana: Rs 650 crore plan for Buddha Nullah clean-up". The Times of India. 7 January 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Project to rejuvenate Buddha Nullah: Testing begins at newly constructed STP in Ludhiana". The Indian Express. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "95% rejuvenation done, Buddha Nullah close to turn into river". The Tribune India. 27 December 2023.
