Mercury, cancer-causing pesticide found in Arkavathy river water samples
Bengaluru: Alarming new findings reveal the presence of hazardous substances, including mercury, the banned pesticide DDT, cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and fluoride, in the Arkavathy river. This vital water source, crucial for agriculture and horticulture in Karnataka, has been severely impacted by domestic and industrial pollution.
Recent tests on water and sediment samples collected from the river have exposed the disturbing levels of contamination. The samples were collected by volunteers from Paani Earth, a Bengaluru-based environmental organisation, from three locations: upstream and downstream of the Thippagondanahalli (TG Halli) reservoir, and the Dodda Mudavadi bridge, located 10 km upstream of where the Arkavathy meets the Vrishabhavathi river.
Among the alarming discoveries, DDT contamination was found at shockingly high levels—75 times above the European Union’s water quality standards—at a site 1 km upstream of the TG Halli reservoir, as cited by Deccan Herald on Friday. The analysis also revealed the presence of hexavalent chromium along with mercury and PAHs, harmful hydrocarbons known to cause various health issues, including skin irritation and cancer.
The water and sediment samples were analysed at the International Centre for Clean Water at IIT Madras. These findings underscore the significant gaps in India's water quality monitoring system.
The findings are particularly concerning as they come over two decades after the Karnataka High Court mandated measures to protect the Arkavathy river from pollution. The river, which originates near Nandi Hills, remains vulnerable to contamination until it merges with Vrishabhavathi, a waterbody tainted by Bengaluru’s sewage.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board does not monitor heavy metals or PAHs in the Arkavathy waters, leaving a crucial gap in pollution oversight.
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Thousands of youngsters to recite the Preamble of Constitution at India Gate on Nov 25
New Delhi, Nov 22: In a special initiative to raise awareness about the Constitution, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that over 10,000 youngsters will participate in a 5.5-kilometer padyatra in the national capital on November 25.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution, which was adopted on November 26, 1949.
Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the padyatra named "Mera sambhidhav mera swabhiman", will see the young participants recite the Preamble of the Constitution at India Gate, as part of a broader effort to engage the nation’s youth with the foundational principles of the Constitution.
Over 10000 participants, aged 15-29, from over 125 educational institutions have already been registered for the event through the 'MYBharat' portal.
The event will start at 8:30 am from the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium and pass through several key locations in the city, including Garvi Gandhi Bhawan, Sunehri Masjid, and Mansingh Road, before concluding at the stadium around 11 am.
Mandaviya highlighted that the padyatra is a significant step towards fostering leadership and raising constitutional awareness among young people.
"This padyatra aims to encourage youth to understand and embrace the Constitution. It will also help in developing leadership skills and capacity building," Mandaviya said.
The minister further emphasised the importance of such marches, citing the recent 'Mati ke Veer Padyatra,' where youth not only spread messages on cleanliness and fitness but also organised the entire event, learning key leadership lessons in the process.
The Minister said the march aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase youth's participation in shaping India's future.
