Samvada has been regularly bringing to light through its columns the environmental issues in Delhi and the NCR Region and how due to the apathy of the Civic authorities the Green cover in Delhi is getting reduced. Delhi’s green cover has seen a reduction in 2024 despite an overall increase in India’s forest area.
Delhi faces many environmental challenges, and pollution from untreated sewage water is one of the most serious. This not only devastates ecosystems resulting in the reduction of green cover, and also affects seriously the wildlife, flora, and fauna.
Sewage pollution is a vector for disease and exposes the human population and wildlife to health risks. These include gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, and a wide range of potentially life-threatening conditions like hepatitis A and E, salmonella, E. coli, dysentery, typhoid, and cholera.
The recent instance that has come to light is regarding the serious problems being faced by the residents due to untreated sewage water being released by the Delhi Jal Board/other Civic authorities in the Forest Area (Tolani Bagh) adjacent to Blocks 8 & 9 of Sector A, Pocket C,Vasant Kunj.
Through Google Earth, the specific area was checked for its Green cover and the results are for all to see as per the satellite imagery provided here-the position as of October,24 and then of January,25. On an analysis of the vegetation patterns, it can be noted that the Green cover is progressing and getting reduced. Further, the foul smell of the untreated sewage water is making life unbearable for the residents.
While this serious matter has been taken up with the Civic authorities by the RWA, it is imperative that the authorities take urgent action to alleviate the problems.
