Toxic sewage water is being used for irrigation purposes to meet the demands of the growing population of the metropolitan, causing serious health risks to the citizens, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Farmers growing vegetables in the belt between Ring Road and River Ravi, in order to meet the increasing demand for food in the provincial capital, use contaminated wastewater for irrigation purposes. This practice, though beneficial due to its contribution to food scarcity, raises public health concerns due to the risks it poses to the vegetable consumers. Sewage contains certain elements like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which increases the growth of crops.
Vegetables and various other crops were being irrigated with sewage, which contained all types of pollutants and contaminants from residential schemes, industrial units and hospitals. According to the law, an FIR under section 268,269,270 and 278 can be lodged against such practices. An action under section 146 of the Punjab local government ordinance 2001 can also be evoked against the culprits.
Sources said these crops were not only irrigated but were also washed in ponds containing sewage, especially made for washing purpose. These crops mainly comprise of carrots, radish, spinach, coriander and turnip. The vegetables irrigated with sewage are lush green, attractive and larger in size. However, such vegetables are usually tasteless due to the excessive amount of sulphur and phosphorus contents. The innocent citizens of the metropolitan using these crops are suffering with skin diseases, digestive problems and several other dangerous diseases, depending upon the amount of contamination.
No official department, including the food ministry, was taking any action on this serious issue, and the precious lives of thousands citizens were at stake. Taking to Pakistan Today, Ahamd Raza, a farmer of Yousaf Nager said, “We cannot afford the electricity bills of tube wells, rent of the leased land and other major expenses. Hence, we are forced to use the cheaper options like irrigating and washing of theses vegetables with sewage.” An official of the Food Department said the food ministry only had the authority to inspect edibles which were available in the bazaars and the restaurant. According to a health expert, food poisoning occurs when humans consume food from land irrigated by polluted water which contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, toxins and carcinogens. He added that the incidence of such diseases increases when crops are fed wastewater and pesticides; however, merely the overuse of fertilizer also carries significant health risks.
