January 6, 2020

Topic: Groundwater Pollution.

News:- High Uranium content in Punjab’s Groundwater, say the experts.

Hardev Singh Virk ( Punjabi University) & Savneet Kaur Kailley ( Desh Bhagat University, Fatehgarh Sahib).
They examined the levels of Uranium and other heavy metals in Sirhind water Canal and groundwater in the Malwa region of Punjab.
A great portion of Punjab groundwater has been affected by Uranium.
The report has categorically criticised the proposal of Punjab’ s department of water supply and sanitation of digging deep submersible tubewells ( more than 200 feet) to supply Uranium free water to Malwa belt.
Back in 2009, a UK based specialist had raised the concern about the Uranium content in Punjab groundwater.
The reasons for the prevalence of Uranium in the groundwater are not clear.
Some scientists say that due to geological factors or geogenic causes, Uranium could be found in Punjab’s groundwater.
Punjab’s Canal water seems to be the only plausible solution to tackle this issue for the time being.

Fazilka has the most number of affected habitations ( Uranium pollution in groundwater). – 217 habitations.

Moga – 2013 habitations.
Ferozepur – 139 habitations.
Barnala – 115 habitations.
Patiala, Sangrur and Bathinda are also adversely affected by the Uranium pollution in Groundwater.

The concentration limits of Uranium have been found between 30 to 366 parts per billion ( ppb).
The government should bring a cohesive Groundwater conservation and management plan for the state so that its solution could be thought of in totality.
Scientists from CSIR and other globally acknowledged institutions should conduct more research on this and come up with some credible solutions.
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(Source:- The Tribune)
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Topic: Biodiversity.

Common Shelducks were spotted for the first time in the Ropar wetland.

795 Ruddy Shelducks were also recorded.
Red Crested Pochard – 631.
Bar-headed Geese – 598.
The Bird Census were also held at National Wetland and National Fertilizers Limited’s ash pond yesterday.
A total of 5893 birds of 50 different species were found.

(Source:- The Tribune)