The increasing pollution in the Sutlej river has become a severe health concern for people residing near the Indira Gandhi Canal. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has duly instructed the Punjab and Rajasthan governments to provide quarterly compliance reports on the measures taken to prevent effluent discharge into the Satluj and Beas from entering the Jal Shakti ministry.
The Origins of Sutlej River’s Pollution
The root cause of pollution in the Sutlej river can be attributed to three primary sources. The Buddha Nallah tributary, being the main contributor, brings untreated sewage waste from Ludhiana city’s sewage treatment plants (STP). Additionally, untreated industrial effluents from dyeing units and small scale industries such as units on electroplating, hosiery, steel rolling mills, which discharge their waste directly into the stream, further contribute to the pollution.
High Biological Oxygen Demand in the Sutlej River
Buddha Nullah contributes about 16,672 kilograms of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) load daily whereas the East Bein, a rivulet in Doaba in Punjab, contributes roughly 20,900 kg/day of BOD load. High BOD indicates a large presence of organic matter, leading to depletion of dissolved oxygen, thus posing a threat to aquatic life such as fish.
Contribution of the Leather Industry to River Pollution
Chitti Bein, a seasonal rivulet, along with its sub-drain, Kala Sanghian drain situated in the Jalandhar district, is equally responsible for the high pollution levels in the Sutlej river. The leather goods industry of Jalandhar, by discharging untreated water, is a significant reason behind Chitti Bein’s pollution.
Pollutants in the Sutlej River
Upon the confluence of Buddha Nullah, traces of heavy metals like chromium and arsenic are noticeable in the Sutlej river. Groundwater and surface water around drains including Buddha Nallah, Chitti Bein, and Kala Sanghian contain mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, and selenium exceeding permissible limits. The presence of heavy metals and pesticides have also been detected in fodder, vegetable, milk, urine, and blood samples.
Impact of Pollution on Indira Gandhi Canal
Starting from Harike Barrage and ending in the Thar Desert in northwest Rajasthan, the Indira Gandhi Canal, India’s longest canal, provides water to about 1.75 crore people residing in 7,500 villages across eight districts. However, the increasing pollution has turned the canal water black, leading to health problems such as skin diseases, gastroenteritis, indigestion, and loss of eyesight among the locals.
Overview of Sutlej River
Previously known as Zaradros or Shatadru, the Sutlej river is the longest of the five tributaries of the Indus River, which gives Punjab its name meaning “Five Rivers”. The four other tributaries include Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Beas. Originating from Lake La’nga in southwestern Tibet, the Sutlej River meanders through Himachal Pradesh before entering Punjab. The river meets the Beas River in Harike, Ferozpur district before flowing into Pakistan, where it joins the Chenab River west of Bahawalpur. The joined rivers form the Panjnad, acting as a link between the Five Rivers and the Indus. The Luhri Stage-I Hydro Electric Project is located on the Sutlej River, covering Shimla and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh.
