The old belief about nature’s bounty is no longer sustainable. The time is rapidly drawing to a close to the recklessness with which mankind can squander natural resources, cutting down trees, leading to the desiccation of the verdant countryside and extracting water, precipitating the aridity of the soil. How worrisome the process is has now come to light from some of the figures presented by the government to Parliament.
The dreaded phenomenon of the salinity of the soil, which makes a mockery of the phrase ‘salt of the earth’, is now said to affect 158 out of the country’s 639 districts. Excess of fluoride has been detected in 267 districts, nitrate in 385 districts, iron in 270 districts, and poisonous arsenic in 53 districts, which affects the nervous system and reduces IQ in children. Since most of these areas are run by inefficient municipalities and indifferent state administrations, there is little hope for the people to expect an immediate improvement of the situation. Except for the few enlightened among them, not many are aware of how the ground is virtually being eroded under their feet, jeopardising them and future generations. Even in Delhi, the groundwater in the north, west and southwest contain lead. In addition, the southwest has cadmium while northwest, south and east has chromium, a known carcinogen.
Unless urgent ameliorative steps are taken, the depletion and pollution of groundwater could lead to a nationwide health crisis as the aquifers become unfit for providing drinking water. In addition to eliminating harmful substances, there is need to regulate the use of underground water, avoid wasteful consumption since the withdrawal levels are higher than the replacement levels in 15 per cent of the geographical area, and undertake conservation campaigns so that the aquifers can be recharged. It will be foolhardy to depend on rain to do so because of the erratic nature of the monsoon.