Restoration of Devika water quality at Purmandal
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 18: J&K Pollution Control Committee (erstwhile Board) has asked the Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority to share the concrete action taken preventive measures to be adopted for restoration of water quality of River Devika at Purmandal, which is one of the most revered pilgrimage places in Jammu and Kashmir.
Inviting attention towards poor water quality at Purmandal due to discharge of untreated sewerage into the water body, the Pollution Control Committee has also sought the intervention of the Assistant Commissioner Development Samba to pursue the matter with Chief Executive Officer, Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority.
“Verification/ monitoring carried out by the Board(now Committee) shows that the water quality at Purmandal is that of class-B and the colour and odour of the water is not upto mark, which is mainly due to discharge of untreated sewerage into the Devika river,” read the communiqués, dashed to ACD Samba and CEO Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority by the Regional Director PCC.
The PCC has also pointed towards frequent burning of solid waste in the said area despite a complete ban on the same.
Giving reference of its earlier communications on restoration of water quality of River Devika at Purmandal, the PCC has observed that there was no response from the either side in this regard as a result of which the matter remained unresolved.
Pertinent to mention that sanitation of entire area, including river Devika is the sole responsibility of Mansar-Surinsar Development Authority and the PCC has repeatedly brought attention of the concerned on the subject vide letter number PCC/RDJ/G.C/5848-53, dated 17/02/2022; LA JKPCB letter No. PCB/LSJ/121/20212/2166-67, dated 17/03/2020 and Member Secretary J&K SPCB letter No: SPCB/PS/MS/2019/158/1315-20, dated 25/04/2019.
Non-seriousness on part of the Development Authority can be gauged from the fact that despite repeated requests by the PCB/PCC to indicate the measures taken to stop discharge of untreated sewerage into River Devika within days, there was no response in this regard.
The fresh communiqués to the Development Authority and District Administration Samba have been dashed following a fresh complaint lodged by prominent citizens and social workers of Purmandal, especially J L Baru, who is actively pursuing the matter.
Besides getting veracity of the complaint verified by the Divisional Officer, PCC Samba North, the Pollution Control Committee has also observed that all the garbage waste, including clothes and leftovers of the dead bodies after cremation, is being collected by a sweeper engaged by Dharmarth Trust through a contractor, and burnt haphazardly i. e without proper segregation and scientific disposal.
In its communications to CEO Development Authority and ACD Samba, the PCC has also attached photographic evidence in this regard, submitted by the Divisional Officer, which show discharge of untreated sewerage into Devika River and cremation of dead bodies there.
It may be recalled that the State Pollution Control Board (now committee) had conducted an exercise in 2019 to analyze the quality of water of Devika River. The PCB scientists collected samples—one from the gate of main temple and another from hand pump installed at 50 meters downstream to access the water quality in comparison to the desired parameters.
The detailed analysis of samples brought to the fore shocking scenario as all the critical parameters for surface water bodies were found much beyond the standard limits assigned for classification of river water quality under Designated Best Use (DBU).
As per the standard parameters, the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) should be less than two milligrams per litre but the same in respect of Devika River was found more than two milligrams per litre. Similarly, Chemical Oxygen Demand should be less than 9 mg per litre but the same was over 10.5 mg per litre in respect of Devika River at Purmandal.
Moreover, at several places the colour of water was found yellowish besides emanating foul smell. The outcome of analysis clearly revealed that quality of water of river of faith was deteriorating at an alarming rate.
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