Vegetables with Heavy Metals, HEAVY TOXIC TO HEALTH

 Edible vegetables are hyperaccumulators of heavy metals

Vegetables with Heavy Metals, HEAVY TOXIC TO HEALTH

Excessive amounts of heavy metals; Toxicity to Human Body – Empri Report Waste water for growing vegetables

The higher concentration of the heavy metals in vegetables is due to the use of untreated sanitary and industrial wastewater by the farmers for the irrigation of vegetables.

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

BENGALURU: The concentration of heavy metals in vegetables grown using sewage water has increased, increasing the risk of toxic elements being added to the human body, according to a study by the Forest Department's Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI).

 The study was conducted by collecting 400 samples of 10 vegetables from markets, super market stores, hopcoms, organic stores in different parts of the city. In this, heavy metals were found in vegetables in excess of the limits allowed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

 In November 2022, MPRI published a report titled 'Study of Heavy Metals Concentration in Vegetables Available in Bangalore City Markets'. Dr. N. Hema, P.B. Aishwarya, D.R. Divya led the study.

 Vegetables are supplied to Bengaluru city from Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramnagar and Bangalore rural districts. 70 tons of vegetables are being distributed from Hopcoms alone. Apart from this, vegetables are also being sold in private stores and super markets.

 Local markets like Malleswar, Yeshavantpur, Banashankari, Gandhibazar, K.R. the market; Different super market outlets on Bannerghatta Road, Jayanagar, Rajajinagar, Kanakapura Roads; Organic stores at Vasantnagar, ISRO Layout, Rajajinagar, Indiranagar, Vajarahalli; Samples of vegetables were collected from Hopcoms located at Lalbagh, Yalahanka, Shantinagar, Hebbala, Rajarajeshwarinagar.

Eggplant, tomato, capsicum, beans, carrot, green chilli, onion, potato, spinach and coriander were collected from the markets. Heavy metals were detected by a pre-programmed program in the Nuvao-Ultra Microwave Digestion Extraction System.

 The permissible limit of iron content in beans is 425.5 mg per kg. In beans bought from a well-known organic store, this amount is 810.20 mg per kg. Coriander has 945 mg/kg and spinach has 554.58 mg/kg. 592.18 mg/kg of iron was found in Hopcoms onion.

 Heavy metal content in vegetables in big super markets or small retailers is higher than the permissible limit. FAO has set a cadmium limit of 0.2 mg/kg. However, cadmium was found to be 52.30 mg/kg in eggplant collected from super market of BTM layout. Coriander contains 53.30 mg/kg, spinach 53.50 mg/kg, carrot 54.60 mg/kg. This metal is highly toxic which weakens the liver, lungs and immune system.

 Lead is said to be highly toxic and the permissible limit for this metal is 0.3 mg/kg. But in many vegetables stored in super markets, this amount is 12.20 mg/kg.

 The permissible limit of nickel metal in vegetables is 67.9 mg/kg, and green chillies, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and beans have excessive concentrations of this metal.

The content of these heavy metals is very high in vegetables and consuming them will have a very bad effect on health. Thus, vegetable growing in sewage water should be restricted. Sewage water and industrial waste water should not be used for vegetable cultivation. The report suggested that vegetable growing in the outskirts of the city should be banned.

 The report highlighted that spinach available in the city should not be consumed, as the amount of heavy metals in leafy vegetables is higher than other vegetables.

 Research team scientist N. Hema said, 'The method of tracing the origin of vegetables should be further enhanced and guaranteed. The maximum amount of metals in vegetables and their duration of use should be reviewed. The extent to which these metals adversely affect children, adults and the elderly should be disclosed. The effect of consuming these vegetables on people's health should be comprehensively explained,' he said.

 How much metal is in which vegetable? *As reported by MP

 Iron (permissible limit 425.5 mg/kg)

 Amount in vegetables

•  Beans 810.20 mg/kg
•  Coriander greens 945.70 mg/kg
•  Spinach 554.58 mg/kg

 Cadmium (permissible limit 0.2 mg/kg)

•  Brinjal 52.30 mg/kg
•  Coriander greens 53.30 mg/kg
•  Spinach 53.50 mg/kg
•  Carrot 54.60 mg/kg

 Due to rapid increase in population and industrialization, the natural water resources are under enormous pressure. Industrial and municipal wastewater production has been increasing over a period of time. Industrial effluents contain large numbers of toxic pollutants like heavy metals and these pollutant rich effluents are drained in water bodies without any treatment. This heavy metal rich waste water is frequently used for irrigation purposes by the peri-urban farmers due to its free and continuous availability throughout the year. These farmers tend to grow the crops with a short cultivation period and the vegetables are grown to cater to the needs of the nearby markets. The heavy metals are non-biodegradable, persistent, carcinogenic and mutagenic in nature.

The present research work was carried out to determine the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the vegetables sold in a variety of markets across Bengaluru city. Even though the source of procurement of these vegetables in the markets were not made in the study, based on the concentration of heavy metals in the sampled vegetables there is future scope of tracing the sources of vegetables.

Toxic impacts of heavy metals

According to scientific evidence, heavy metals are toxic. At a lower range, it plays a vital role in the metabolism of a cellular system, whereas at a higher range, it becomes toxic, and thus these elements are called trace elements. After interacting with water, soil, and air, heavy metals can become highly poisonous, and humans and other living organisms can be exposed to them through the food chain

• * Vegetables are a major portion of the human diet, providing micro and macronutrients, fibers, vitamins etc., In addition, a wide range of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, tocopherols, glutathione, phenolic acids, and flavonoids are found in vegetables (Sara et al, 2005) that are known to have positive effects on human health as they play a crucial role in preventing a number of chronic diseases (Agarwal et al., 2007). Vegetables can grow on all types of land, which is commonly contaminated with heavy metals. Depending on the vegetables, some of them have a greater potential to accumulate higher concentrations of heavy metals than others. That may have an impact on human health by consuming contaminated food. Differential plant tolerance to heavy metals is the cause of the leafy vegetables' varying metal uptake rates (Itanna, 2002). Leafy greens have a higher accumulator of metal ions than root vegetables and legumes (Alexander et al., 2006). Some heavy metals, such as cobalt, chromium, copper, magnesium, iron, molybdenum, manganese, selenium, nickel, and zinc, are essential nutrients that are required for various physiological and biochemical functions in the body and may result in deficiency diseases or syndromes if inadequate amounts but then in large doses they can cause acute or chronic toxicities. Long term accumulation of heavy metals in the body may result in slowing the progression of physical, muscular and neurological degenerative processes that mimic certain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease (Jaishankar et .al, 2014).

Recommendation 

It is very clear from the present study that the edible vegetables are hyperaccumulators of heavy metals. So, taking into consideration the health risks associated with consumption of these vegetables, it is suggested that vegetable cultivation should not use waste water as a source.

• Farmers growing vegetables should use clean surface water for cultivation of the crops

• In case of non-availability of clean water, at least treated water should be used for the purpose of cultivation

• Few vegetables studied had higher amounts of heavy metals than the prescribed limits standardized by various health associations.

• In terms of the eight metals analyzed, the concentrations in vegetables were not very different in the four categories of markets

• Cultivation of root and leafy vegetables which are hyper-accumulators, should be restricted in such polluted areas such as peripherals of the city

• Waste water reuse is the need of the hour because it will help to conserve and replenish the depleting potable water resources. Hence, it should be properly treated to remove the harmful pollutants before its reuse for irrigation purposes

• Awareness campaigns about the cause and effect of such toxic pollutants is the need of the hour

• Combined efforts should be done by the government, industrialists, farmers, soil and water scientists and social organizations to tackle such problems

• Reuse and reduction of materialistic things can be the first step to reduce the amount of pollutants in the environment.

Farmers should be made aware of toxic metal accumulations in greens and vegetables and their imminent threat to consumers

✓ For the farmers those who grow food crops, testing of soils and water should be mandated by the concerned regional agricultural department or pollution control board. More particularly, farmers, who grow these crops on either side of highways, must go for soil testing

✓ Farmers should not resort to unethical farming practices such as irrigating the crops with drainage and effluent waters

✓ It is advised to avoid eating spinach bought from the vegetable markets of the Bangalore. Instead, these greens can be grown organically at home in rooftop gardens, window gardens and balcony gardens

✓ Farmers of the suburban areas should not be allowed by law to grow the greens and vegetables utilizing the drainage and effluent waters

✓ A continuous monitoring is recommended to rule out toxic metal contamination in these greens and vegetables

city-wide inspections; Legal action

 A special movement has been launched across Bangalore to check the quality of metal and pesticide content in vegetables. Further legal action will be taken based on the analysis results, said the Commissioner of Food Safety and Standards Authority.

 If heavy metals are found in food samples, including vegetables, in excess of the prescribed standards, those substances are considered unsafe. According to section 59 of the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2006, traders who sell such food items are liable to imprisonment for six months to six years and a fine of ₹ 1 lakh to ₹ 5 lakh.

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ಕೊಳಚೆ ನೀರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆದ ತರಕಾರಿ ಹಾನಿಕರ: ಎಂಪ್ರಿ ವರದಿ

Maintenance cost for lakes which under development!

BBMP set to spend ₹35 crore on 174 lakes

Maintenance cost for LAKES which UNDER DEVELOPMENT!

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

 BENGALURU: BBMP has proposed to spend lakhs of rupees for the annual maintenance of developing and yet to be developed lakes.

 Once the lakes are developed, their maintenance for one or three years is left to the contractor. However, even for such lakes, money is being spent on annual maintenance.

 The development works of Mylasandra (limestone field) in Rajarajeshwarinagar zone and Nelagadaranahalli lakes in Dasarahalli zone are going on. Tenders have been invited for annual maintenance cost of ₹22.58 lakh and ₹21 lakh respectively for these lakes.

 Preparations have been made to spend on maintenance of Lingadhiranahalli (₹31.97 lakh) in Rajarajeshwarinagar zone, Kacharakanahalli (₹46 lakh) in East zone, Doddabidarakallu (₹21 lakh) in Dasarahalli zone, Amritahalli lake (₹13 lakh) in Yalahanka zone, where tenders have been called for development. A budget approval code (3028) is also available for all these expenses.

 BBMP will spend ₹35 crore in the year 2023-24 for the annual management of 174 lakes that are developed, under development-tender stage, and for the development of an app to monitor the management of the lakes.

BBMP says that there is no money for the development of lakes. However, funds are being wasted in the name of annual maintenance of developed lakes. Only the lakes they want are named for it. Many lakes including Pattanagere-Kenchenahalli lake, Karihobanahalli lake are stinking. They are not cleaned. But for the lakes that have been spent, they are being spent again,' said S. of the Right to Information Study Center. Amaresh complained.

 According to the information given by BBMP as per Right to Information Act, 31 lakes are to be developed. No action is being taken regarding these as there is no money. At least all the lakes should be fenced and work should be started to prevent sewage from going there', he demanded.

 202 Total lakes

 114 Developed lakes

 25 Developing lakes

 13 Lakes under tender process

 31 Lakes to be developed

 19 Lakes used for other purposes

 'Maintenance Needed'

 Maintenance cost will increase only after development of lakes. The sidewalks have to be maintained, the grass has to be cut if it grows... all these are the tasks. Some works do not go to the contractor who developed the lake. All that will be in the tender rules. Hence the tender has been called for annual maintenance. The work of developing lakes also requires maintenance. Therefore, tenders are being called in advance and preparations are being made. An annual tender has also been called for the cleanliness of the lakes to be developed,' said Vijayakumar Haridas, chief engineer of the BBMP lakes department.

Lakes under development

 Singapore, Kottanoor, Hoodi Giddanakere, Kaggadasapura, Gaudanapalya, Hulimavu, Vasantpura, Maestripalya, Rampura, Gangashetti, Vengaiyanakere, Nagarabhavi, Vaderahalli, Abbigere, Chaudeshwaribadangaon, Konnakunte, Arekere, Bettahalli, Horamavu, Srigandhadakaval, Kengeri, Mylasandra ( Sunnakallupalya), Nelegedaranahalli, Shivanahalli lake.

 Lakes in tender stage

 Doddabidarakallu (Nagasandra), Gunjur Mauji, Lingadhiranahalli, Lakshmipur, Junnasandra, Swarnakunte Gudda, Gandhinagar Hosakerehalli, Gunjur Karmelaram, Pattandur Agrahara, Garvebhavipalya, Venkateshpur, Kacharakanahalli lake.

 Lakes to be developed

 Chikkabeguru, Bellahalli, Srinivasapur, Konasandra, Sompura, Sitarampalya, Nyanappanahalli, Pattanagere – Kenchenahalli, Subedaranakere, Varahasandra, Chikkamanahalli, Bheemanakuppe, Kannally, Kenchanapura, Narasappanahalli, Sulikere, Bairasandra Melinakere, B. Chandrasandra, Kalyanikunte – Vasantpur, B. Narayanpur, Channasandra, Chikkabellandur, Panathur, Madavara, Mallasandra Gudde, Mangammanahalli, Chikkagoudanapallya, Dubasipalya, Hoskerahalli, Gottigepalya, Boosegoudanakere.

 How much does it cost to maintain a lake?

 Mahadevpur zone; ₹9.0 crore; 53 Lakes

 Bommanahalli; ₹ 7.68 crore; 42 Lakes

 RR the city ₹7.07 crore; 33 Lakes

 Yalahanka; ₹5.22 crore; 24 Lakes

 Dasarahalli; ₹2.07 crore; 11 Lakes

 East; ₹2.10 crore; 4 Lakes

 West; ₹30 lakhs; 2 Lakes

 South; ₹1.38 crore; 5 Lakes

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಹಂತದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಕೆರೆಗಳಿಗೂ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ ವೆಚ್ಚ

BBMP election: not possible for now!

Though 225 wards are finalised, the draft list of reservation is yet to be published

BBMP election: not possible for now!

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

BENGALURU: The possibility of holding elections for the Bruhat Bengaluru Metropolitan Corporation (BBMP) is slim for now.

 Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Transport Minister Ramalingareddy have been saying since coming to power that they will hold elections to BBMP by December. However, the necessary processes were not completed on time. This backlog is said to be due to non-submission of the caste census report to the government for allocating reservation.

 It is said that elections to local bodies cannot be held for six months before and after the general elections. The Lok Sabha term will end in May 2004 and the BBMP election process should be completed six months before that. If the election process is to be completed by December, the election notification should be published one and a half months before. Before that, one month is required to complete the processes including voter list, appointment of officials.

 What is the confusion?: 

Reservation of 225 wards under BBMP is given to 10 categories. 24.10 per cent (54–55 wards) for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; 34.17% should be given to Backward Classes (OBC). 77 wards are to be reserved for Backward Category – A (BCA) and 11 wards for Backward Category – B category. But according to the current calculation, Bengaluru does not have that level of population if so many ward reserves are to be given to OBCs. Thus, it is said that there is confusion in fixing the reservation.

The State Commission for Backward Classes has not yet submitted the caste census report to the government. Once it is submitted to the government, the process of discussion and acceptance should be over. Then BBMP Ward Reservation should be fixed accordingly. A minimum of 15 days is required for draft list, final list notification.

 No interest: 

'BBMP has completed three years without elected representatives. However, important leaders of political parties are not interested in holding elections. He is of the opinion that the administration of local bodies should be done according to the wishes of MLAs and Ministers. Therefore, they are making excuses one after the other,' complain corporator aspirants in Congress and BJP.

 Problem in reservation: Ramalingareddy

 There is no clarity about OBC reservation for ward reservation. Thus, caste reporting is required. Otherwise, there will be a problem in the Supreme Court and other courts. As the Supreme Court has made everything normal, elections have been held in Maharashtra in the same way. Caste census report in Madhya Pradesh. So, we are also waiting for the report. Transport Minister Ramalingareddy said that all reservation confusions should be clarified.

'Preparation is possible in a month'

 Preparations for BBMP elections can be completed in a month. After ward reservation is finalized, voter list should be prepared ward wise. As the ward is redistributed, the draft voter list should be prepared and then finalised. State Election Commission Commissioner B. should finalize the officers for the election. Basavaraju said.

 After the voter list is finalised, the election date should be fixed and notification should be issued. This notification should be issued one month before the polling. Overall, it takes at least two months. There is no need to complete the BBMP elections within six months of the Lok Sabha elections. However, a date should be fixed so that it does not become a problem. He informed that if the Lok Sabha elections are held in May, the election process here should be completed within one month before the notification is issued.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಚುನಾವಣೆ: ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಅಸಾಧ್ಯ?

C&D waste: 575 vehicles seized

Vigilance on illegal disposal; BBMP campaign

C&D waste: 575 vehicles seized 

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The BBMP seized 575 vehicles illegally dumping construction waste on the side of vacant lots, lake areas and outlying roads in the city in a single month.

The Solid Waste Management Department, which had in September cracked down on vehicles dumping construction waste (C and D), also levied a fine of over ₹4 lakh. BBMP has launched a campaign to take action against those illegally dumping construction waste on the side of suburban roads.

 All vehicles plying for illegal disposal of construction waste should be checked by Junior Health Inspectors, Ward Marshals, Marshall Supervisors of the corporation. The Joint Commissioner of Solid Waste Management has suggested that fines should be imposed as per rules and the vehicles should be impounded and handed over to the nearest police station.

 There are many works going on in the city and thousands of tons of 'C and D' waste are being generated. But it is not being sent to the processing unit. There is a processing plant with a capacity of 1 thousand metric tons per day at Chikkajala and 750 metric tons at Kannur near Bangalore. Only 100 metric tonnes of 'C and D' waste was collected per day for these two units. Due to increased seizure and monitoring of vehicles, 500 metric tons are now reaching the processing units. As a rule, ₹134 per metric tonne of 'C and D' waste is to be paid to the treatment plant.

Who is applicable?: 

BMRCL, NHAI, Indian Railways, Airport Authorities, Telecom Operators, CPWD, GAIL, BBMP, BWSSB, BESCOM, KPTCL, BDA, PWD Departments shall compulsorily transport 'C&D' waste to treatment plants. However, these departments are not following the rules.

 Even after the construction and clearance of huge buildings and houses, the waste is not reaching the treatment plants. Taking this seriously, BBMP has kept a close watch.

 No recycling: 

There is a rule that at least 20% of processed recycled products such as screened sand and granular subbase should be used in building construction works and road works. This should be incorporated in the tenders clause. These rules should be published publicly. Violators are also advised to take action as per the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 and all applicable laws. But none of the departments including BBMP are following this rule.

 Officials of the unit said that in the two 'C and D' waste treatment units under the jurisdiction of BBMP, sand and granular subbase are available in the amount of 7 thousand metric tons each.

App for C&D Waste Management

 A mobile app is being developed for building waste disposal in BBMP and outlying areas. It will have the facility to send the building waste to the treatment plant from where it is generated and pay the fee for it. If a property owner or contractor submits a request to take building waste to a treatment plant, all the processes from vehicle booking can be handled in this app. The BBMP officials said that this app is in the experimental stage and will soon be available for use by all.

 Warning of criminal case

 It has been decided to curb the illegal disposal of 'C and D' waste. For this, the officials of the respective parts have been given the responsibility. For any reason, 'C&D' waste is not allowed to be disposed anywhere. Citizens are also responsible for keeping the city clean. They should also cooperate with us. Otherwise, will have to face a criminal case, said Pratibha, the joint commissioner of BBMP Solid Waste Unit.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು | ಕಟ್ಟಡ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯ ಅಕ್ರಮ ವಿಲೇವಾರಿ: 575 ವಾಹನ ಜಪ್ತಿ

15 'Secondary Transfer Stations' in the city

 Clear calculation in waste disposal; Favor of Ministers and MLAs for the establishment of the station

 15 'Secondary Transfer Stations' in the city

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

 Bengaluru: The BBMP has proposed to set up 'Secondary Transfer Stations' (STS) in 15 assembly constituencies, which have adopted advanced technology for sorting and transporting waste in the city.

 Three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) are investigating the solid waste management works. After the review of these investigations, the BBMP decided to formulate a plan for the establishment of new STSs.

 Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Company collects 150 metric tonnes of waste daily in three areas of the city and scientifically processes it.

 Setting up STSs for transport to units. Koramangala STS has been completed but has not started functioning as SIT investigation is going on.

 If the 'Secondary Transfer Station' constructed at Koramangala becomes operational, waste from seven wards will come here directly through autos. From the arrival of the auto, its route number, license plate, weight of waste will be recorded on the website under CCTV camera surveillance. The waste is transported directly from the auto to 'capsules' in the form of 'fuel carrying containers'. Liquid-waste is pumped out, compressed and filled. At the bottom of the 'capsules' there is also room for more liquid-waste storage. It is transported to the processing units by GPS-controlled trucks

Waste collection is now going on through 2 compactors, tens of autos in each ward. If the 'secondary transfer station' is operational, around 16 tonnes of waste will be transported in a single 'capsule'. It does not emit any liquid-waste or odor. Also, biological fluid is sprayed to prevent odors from leaving the station even during the time the waste goes into the 'capsule' from the auto. There is facility for sorting and transportation of dry waste and mixed waste in STS.

 Once the waste from Auto arrives at STS, all the responsibility lies with the contractor till its disposal at the treatment plant. Also, all the equipment and trucks in STS are in the name of BBMP Chief Commissioner. All are property of BBMP.

 Mini Transfer Stations (MTS) established for waste collection in the wards have not solved the problem of disposal. The operation-maintenance cost is also given to the MTS contractor. None of the equipment there is in the name of the corporation. Waste is being transported in ordinary compactors, garbage, liquid waste is leaking on the road. Therefore, instead of mini transfer stations, it is planned to build 'secondary transfer station' in each assembly constituency, BBMP officials said.

'Demand from Minister'

 Minister K.J. George, Jameer Ahmed, Dinesh Gundurao have demanded the establishment of a 'Secondary Transfer Station' in their constituency. Besides, many MLAs have also asked for the construction of the station. A station is ready. Two others are under construction. About 15 more stations are planned to be established, and a clear plan will be prepared soon, said Dr. BBMP, Special Commissioner of Solid Waste Department. Harish Kumar said.

 A new technology from garbage to compost

 Rudraksha Waste Utility has proposed an 'odorless technology' to manufacture compost from green waste in the State Pollution Control Board. The board suggested that this organization should be allowed one year to manufacture manure in waste treatment units of BBMP. BBMP Special Commissioner of Solid Waste Department Dr. Harish Kumar said.

 In the 'Aerobic Sponge Bed Organic Method', raw waste is poured on the sponge bed at a depth of about 2 meters. Then add 'Surabhi' to remove the smell. There is no mosquito, fly, liquid-waste problem due to 'Amlika' natural solution and 'Shilindra' solution spray. In 90 days, the raw waste becomes fertilizer, said Dr. Rudraksha Institute. C. Senappa, Dr. Sunita explained the technology at the Pollution Board.

 In a letter written to the BBMP, the Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board said that the Central and State Pollution Control Board, BBMP technical committee will supervise the process of making fertilizer for the Rudraksha Institute.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ 15 ‘ಸೆಕೆಂಡರಿ ಟ್ರಾನ್ಸ್‌ಫರ್‌ ಸ್ಟೇಷನ್‌’

Citizens are allowed to become 'Kere Mitra'

BBMP: 'HASIRU MITRA' for Parks: Registration open till October 30 

 Citizens are allowed to become 'KERE MITRA'

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: Citizens have been given an opportunity to monitor the maintenance of LAKES and PARKS under BBMP. One can register as 'Kere Mitra' and 'Hasiru Mitra'.

 Residents of Bangalore who are interested in monitoring the maintenance work of a lake or parks in their ward can register at https://bbmp.gov.in/ by October 30.

 10 people will be selected at random from those who have registered interest in monitoring each lake or park. They can monitor a lake or garden for a month as a 'Kere Mitra' and 'Hasiru Mitra'. Vijayakumar Haridas, Chief Engineer of BBMP Lakes Division said that their views can be conveyed.

 The development work, maintenance work in the lake should be checked daily and recorded on the internet. The app will also work for this process in the coming days. He said that this project has been implemented with the intention that the lake and the gardens should be maintained well.

 At the 'Brand Bangalore conclave', Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar assured the citizens about maintenance of lake and gardens. He informed that as per his plan, 'Kere Mitra' and 'Hasiru Mitra' are starting as the first phase.

 Unstarted Link: Registration for maintenance work monitoring of lake or park is allowed only on website ( https://bbmp.gov.in/ ). But, as usual BBMP IT department is slow. Environmental activist Ramprasad complained that the registration link was not uploaded till Friday night.

 The IT department has been informed to upload the link. Vijayakumar said that the link (

https://keremithra.bbmpgov.in/registration

) will be available as soon as possible.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ನಾಗರಿಕರಿಗೆ ‘ಕೆರೆ ಮಿತ್ರ’ರಾಗಲು ಅವಕಾಶ

'Black water' for Bengaluru city to drink

 The inflow of Thippagondanahalli Reservoir contains more industrial waste than sewage

'BLACK WATER' for Bengaluru city to drink

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

 BENGALURU: Drinking water planned to be supplied to the city after 11 years from Thippagondanahalli Reservoir is not fit for citizens' consumption. The 'DARK BLACK WATER' flows into the reservoir and no treatment can clean it.

 Industries encroaching on the river channel along with the buffer zone in the TG Halli watershed are discharging chemical waste into the river. Thus, the Environment Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) of the Forest Department has reported in 2015 that the water of TG Halli Reservoir is unfit for any use (E- Category) along with the laboratory results.

 After this report, industrial and commercial-residential areas are highly zoned and adjacent to the buffer zone. From this, the 'dark black water flow' can still be seen between Hesaraghatta and Thippagondanahalli Reservoir. BWSSB is working to treat such water with high-tech technology and supply it as drinking water to the city at a cost of ₹300 crore.

 From Peenya to Dasanpur industrial and urbanized areas, sewage water, chemical waste is directly entering the river flow. Ground water is also polluted in this part. Along with solid waste, granite slurry, garment dye, and informal dyeing and electroplating small scale industries are directly entering the river basin.

Coliform bacteria, which are very harmful to the human body, are very high in this flow. The coliform content should be zero per 100 mL, here it is 50 mpn/100ML. Experts are of the opinion that even if all this contaminated water is treated, it cannot be made drinkable.

 Regarding the water quality, the State Pollution Control Board has released the August 2023 report and it has been stated that the water in most of the lakes of Thippagondanahalli basin is E-class. That is, this water is not fit for any use. This water is joining Thippagondanahalli reservoir through Arkavathi river.

Also Read... Reduce in TG Halli buffer zone: A license to pollute... ಟಿ.ಜಿ ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಬಫರ್‌ ವಲಯ ಇಳಿಕೆ: ಸದಾಶಯಕ್ಕೆ ಕುತ್ತು

Also Read... TG Halli BUFFER Change: Violation of EMPRI's report.... ಎಂಪ‍್ರಿ ವರದಿ ಉಲ್ಲಂಘಿಸಿ ಬಫರ್‌ ಬದಲು

 Waste from which village to the river?

 Aluru, Heggadevanpura, Makali, Madanayakanahalli, Kadaranahalli, Goudahalli, Kammasandra, Bettahalli, Kittanahalli, Gattisiddanahalli, Giddenahalli; Sewage water

 Harokyatanahalli, Ravottanahalli, Gangenahalli; Sewage water with foam

 Vartur; Sewage water with solid waste, poultry waste from around the main road of Tavarekere, Sondekoppa villages.

 Nagasandra; Sewage water with waste from agricultural activity

 Jogerahalli; Horticulture crop on encroached land, drainage water with agricultural waste

 Doddakarenahalli; Medical wastes including solid waste, cotton, injection bottles, syringes and their packages are entering the river.

Reason for lack of water in the river

 * Encroachment of water bodies and their canals

 * By closing the second and third order channels of the rivers, the land use itself has been changed.

 * Due to encroachment of industries on river basins, surface water and ground water has decreased.

 * Groundwater has been overexploited for residential and agricultural activities.

 * Water availability is reduced without maintaining lake series.

 Land use change

 * Villages in Zone-3 and Zone-4 have excessive construction activities, including buildings, Layouts, warehouses etc.

 * Agricultural area in zone 1, 3 and 4 – Layouts, Road, Quarry, Warehouse converted into buildings.

 * Urbanization activities have taken place in zone-3, and Layouts, warehouses, houses, commercial buildings, industries have been built in the Arkavati river.

 * A large number of warehouses have been constructed under the Gramin Bhandara scheme in the villages around the National Highway-4 on the Arkavati river and NH-48 on the Kumudvati river.

Atleast Save the reduced one?

 The buffer zone in TG Halli watershed set in 2003 was not followed by anyone. Unauthorized constructions are more common. The question is whether the buffer zone ordered to be reduced in 2019 will be saved. There is an order that there should be no construction, dirt and waste should not come out in the designated buffer zone. But, till now only chemical waste and sewage water are flowing directly. If only the buffer zone is implemented with a reduced order, the industrial and commercial areas will officially increase further. The sewage flows even more.

 Nirmala Gowda, paani.earth

Slow-poison for people!

 Industrial waste cannot be completely eliminated. If people get drinking water from Thippagondanahalli reservoir where such water is flowing, it will become 'slow-poison'. This is just a plan to kill people by slowly ruining their health. There are all kinds of 'red industries' in the major industrial areas and all their chemical waste is getting into the Thippagondanahalli Reservoir. Karihoba's village lake is a black water hole as the name suggests, which fills up and joins the Arkavati river. Despite complaints about this for years, no one, including the State Pollution Control Board, has taken any action.

Gowdaiah, environmental activist

 'Buffer zone change: I didn't know'

 H.D.Kumaraswamy, who was the Chief Minister in 2019, said that 'I did not have any idea that the order has been issued reducing the buffer zone of Thippagondanahalli basin.'

 Satish Jarakiholi who was the Forest Minister, G.Parameshwar who was the Deputy Chief Minister and Bangalore Development Minister. reduced the buffer zone and caused the order to be issued. As Chief Minister, this did not come to my notice. I did not consent to this in the cabinet or in any meeting," Kumaraswamy commented.

 The Urban Development Department had issued an order on July 20, 2019 reducing the buffer zone from 1 km to 500 meters in the Thippagondanahalli watershed.

 The reasons why Arkavati river is going due?

•  Overexploitation of groundwater
•  Pit from quarries
•  Blockage of canals
•  Drainage encroachment
•  Sand mining
•  Eucalyptus plantation
•  Waste flows from industries
•  Sewage water of Bangalore city
•  Improper disposal of solid waste

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