✅ 1. Groundwater Pollution
Groundwater pollution refers to the contamination of underground water sources found in aquifers due to various human or natural activities. It occurs when harmful substances like heavy metals, chemicals, pathogens, nitrates, and industrial waste seep into the ground and mix with water.
Causes:
Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture
Improper disposal of industrial waste and effluents
Leaching from landfills and septic tanks
Infiltration of untreated sewage
Impacts:
Unsafe drinking water
Spread of waterborne diseases
Long-term ecological damage
Threat to food security due to contaminated irrigation
✅ 2. Fluorosis
Fluorosis is a chronic condition caused by prolonged intake of high levels of fluoride, primarily through drinking water. It affects bones and teeth.
Types:
Dental Fluorosis: Visible as yellow or brown stains, pits, or mottling on teeth. Common in children.
Skeletal Fluorosis: Excess fluoride accumulates in bones, leading to pain, stiffness, joint deformities, and even immobility in severe cases.
Sources: Groundwater with naturally high fluoride, especially in areas like Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.
✅ 3. Arsenic Contamination
Arsenic pollution in groundwater is a serious issue in India, particularly in the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains. It primarily occurs due to natural geological processes but can be worsened by overextraction and certain agricultural practices.
Health Effects:
Skin lesions, pigmentation changes
Peripheral neuropathy
Lung, bladder, and skin cancer
Cardiovascular diseases and developmental effects in children
Hotspot States: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh
✅ 4. Nitrate Contamination
Nitrates are water-soluble and easily leach into the groundwater through excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers or improper disposal of animal and human waste.
Health Impact:
Causes Blue Baby Syndrome in infants by reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.
May lead to stomach cancer and thyroid disorders in adults on long-term exposure.
✅ 5. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
This was the first major environmental legislation in India to address water pollution.
Key Features:
Prevention and control of pollution in water bodies
Establishment of Central and State Pollution Control Boards (CPCB & SPCBs)
Empowerment to take legal action against polluters
Establishment of water quality standards
Importance in UPSC: Often linked with environmental governance, legislative powers, and water-related policies.
✅ 6. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
CGWB is a scientific organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Functions:
Conduct groundwater surveys and mapping
Recommend groundwater conservation and recharge strategies
Monitor quality and quantity of groundwater
Support state governments with data and technical expertise
Limitations:
Lack of statutory powers
Poor enforcement of groundwater regulation at state level
✅ 7. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
CPCB is a statutory organization constituted under the Water Act, 1974.
Key Functions:
Monitor and enforce air and water quality norms
Develop environmental standards
Coordinate with State Pollution Control Boards
Advise the government on environmental matters
Significance: Plays a key role in controlling industrial pollution and ensuring environmental compliance.
✅ 8. Ministry of Jal Shakti
Formed in 2019 by merging the Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Main Objectives:
Ensure access to clean drinking water
River rejuvenation (e.g., Namami Gange)
Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
Regulation and sustainable use of groundwater
Important Schemes:
Jal Jeevan Mission
Atal Bhujal Yojana
✅ 9. Environmental and Public Health Policy
These policies are frameworks and strategies aimed at safeguarding human and environmental health.
Components:
Pollution control laws and regulations (Air Act, Water Act, EPA 1986)
Access to clean water and sanitation (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission)
Preventive healthcare (e.g., immunization, health education)
Institutional frameworks like Ministry of Health, NITI Aayog, and MoEFCC
Importance in UPSC: Directly linked to GS Paper II (governance, health, policy) and GS III (environment).
✅ 10. Sustainable Groundwater Management
This refers to ensuring that groundwater use meets current needs without compromising future availability.
Strategies:
Controlled extraction and licensing
Community-led recharge efforts
Water budgeting and awareness
Use of technology like remote sensing and real-time monitoring
Challenges:
Overextraction by agriculture (esp. in Punjab, Haryana)
Lack of regulation and enforcement
Climate change impacts
Government Initiatives:
Atal Bhujal Yojana
Participatory Ground Water Management
✅ 11. Blue Baby Syndrome
Also known as Methemoglobinemia, this condition affects infants who drink water with high nitrate levels.
Mechanism: Nitrates convert hemoglobin into methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen efficiently. This results in a bluish tinge to the skin, especially around the mouth and hands.
Sources of Nitrates:
Overuse of fertilizers
Leaching from sewage and animal waste
Prevention:
Testing and treating groundwater
Promoting organic farming and better waste management
No comments:
Post a Comment