Contamination, Pollution and Quality

Pesticides and fertilisers have been used indiscriminately to increase crop yields and agricultural output in India and their excessive use has been feared to threaten human health as well as biodiversity through contamination of surface and groundwater resources. 

Our drinking water is fraught with quality issues like chemicals, microplastics, excessive minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants, which tend to be local in nature, and require mitigation action at the local level. Frontline workers in these localities require an understanding of how to assess the local water quality and what steps to take to address issues that are discovered in water.

Background

Wetlands in India, under threat!

Sustainable management of surplus paddy residue in the Indo-Gangetic plain is a back-breaking task for farmers due to lack of viable options. Eventually, farmers prefer to incinerate it mindlessly.

According to the Global Water Quality Index, India ranks 120th out of 122 countries in water quality, its ability and commitment to improving it.

Healing traditions in India have withstood the test of time. Not many of us need to be taught to mix a pinch of haldi in a glass of milk to cope with sore throat, now famously known as turmeric latte, or to add a pinch of dry ginger to our tea when we catch a cold.

Radiation not a pollutant: Pollution Control Committee

Microplastic contamination has appeared as pollution of global concern in the aquatic as well as the terrestrial environment.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is an aspirational programme aiming to provide functional tap water connections to every household in rural India, ensuring access to adequate safe water.