How has Hindon river pollution triggered a public healthcare crisis?

Once a lifeline for communities settled along its banks, the Hindon River in Western Uttar Pradesh, often called India's Sugar Bowl, has been reduced to a drain carrying domestic and industrial waste. This transformation has been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, skin infections, and hepatitis.

Down To Earth tracked the river for over a week, covering its course through seven districts, including its major tributaries—the Krishni and the Kali. The investigation revealed distress among villagers due to polluted water contaminating hand pumps and agricultural fields. In some areas, residents reported skin conditions and even cases of cancer, with doctors attributing these to prolonged exposure to contaminated water.

The problem isn't new. Since the 1970s, experts have warned about industries and untreated domestic waste polluting the river. In Saharanpur district alone, over 45 industries discharge waste into the Hindon, with 12 drains carrying effluents directly into the river. This pollution seeps into groundwater, affecting health and agriculture.

Farmers using the polluted water for irrigation face a double-edged sword: the water supports crops that sustain their livelihoods but poses significant health risks. Villagers shared heartbreaking stories, including a farmer who lost his wife to liver cancer caused by the contaminated water. Despite sporadic health camps, local doctors have noted recurring skin infections and other ailments linked to water usage.

In districts like Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, the river receives effluents from over 55 industries and untreated waste from 19 drains. While some industries claim compliance with zero liquid discharge norms, violations persist. The situation worsens as the Krishna tributary merges with the Hindon, carrying further pollution into Baghpat, Ghaziabad, and beyond.

Ghaziabad, with 219 industries, contributes the highest industrial discharge into the Hindon before it finally merges with the Yamuna in Gautam Buddh Nagar. This relentless pollution has led to the river being declared "dead" by some experts.

Natural resources like the Hindon are irreplaceable. While industries play a role in economic growth, their operations must not come at the cost of public health and environmental degradation.

Efforts to revive the river must prioritise enforcing environmental laws, installing and maintaining effluent treatment plants, and ensuring clean drinking water for affected communities.