Hyderabad, June 25: A group of civil rights organisations today urged the State Human Rights Commission to step in and order a check on pollution in the Musi.
It called for a time-bound and effective plan for repairing the irrigation system of the river, including modernisation of various feeders.
The organisations, including the staff and management of HMTV channel, MV Foundation, Forum For a Better Hyderabad, Jala Sadhana Samithi (Nalgonda), People’s Awareness Society, Musi Conservation Society, Confederation of Voluntary Associations, Human Rights Society and Save the Lakes Society submitted a petition to this effect to the commission.
They sought directions to the government for stringent action by the AP Pollution Control Board in curbing discharge of hazardous effluents, chemicals and waste by industries, and fixation of responsibility on errant industries to treat effluents and toxic chemical waste before disposal.
The group asked the SHRC to ensure completion of sewerage treatment plants (STP) and see to it that these operated to their full potential. They also sought implementation of schemes for supply of drinking water to 80 villages along the Musi. As of now, the people have no choice but to spend Rs 400 to Rs 1,000 a month to buy drinking water.
They said Musi water had been rendered unfit for humans, livestock, fish and trees. Experts had found high concentration of plastic, chemicals, corrugated paper, animal skins and motor grease causing mass extinction of fishes not only in the river but lakes and other water bodies close to it as well.
Farmers using Musi water had reported drastic fall in quantity and quality of yields.
Trees too had dried up, raising temperatures.
–Agencies