Effluents pollute Sirmaur river; fish perish, villagers suffer

Nahan, August 29

Residents of at least six gram panchayats in the Pachhad subdivision of Sirmaur district are grappling with a severe crisis due to the contamination of the Deyothal river by harmful chemicals and pollutants allegedly released by nearby factories and educational institutions.

Apart from proving disastrous to aquatic life, the pollution has forced the closure of several drinking water supply schemes, leaving the local community in distress.

The river is a key source for several water supply schemes that cater to Dilman, Naina Tikkar, Kotla-Panjola and Narag villages, besides surrounding panchayats. However, the discharge of toxic chemicals and hazardous waste into the river has rendered the water unfit for consumption.

According to locals, fish and other aquatic organisms have perished due to the pollution. Hem Raj Kashyap, pradhan of Kotla Panjola panchayat, along with villagers, has voiced concern over the deteriorating condition of the river. They alleged that sewage from some private institutions and industrial units in Solan was being discharged into the river.

For the region heavily dependent on animal husbandry and agriculture for livelihood, the river is the primary source of drinking water for livestock as well. The villagers report that their animals have fallen sick after drinking contaminated water. Besides, chemical-laden water is damaging their crops. The situation has become dire, with the health and livelihood of the community in jeopardy, they add.

Durgesh Sharma, up-pradhan of Dilman panchayat, alleged that waste from a firecracker factory in Baksaar in Sirmaur district was being discharged directly into the Deyothal river via a private land. Other factories, too, are releasing the waste into the river, he alleged.

“This has resulted in the death of aquatic animals, besides causing illness among cattle who drink water from the river. The locals suffer from skin diseases. The administration has not taken action despite complaint from the villagers,” he said.

The villagers had requested the Jal Shakti Department to inspect the quality of the river water. Following the inspection, the department was compelled to shut down the lift water supply schemes that drew from the river, aggravating the water crisis in the area.

The affected villagers have demanding a stringent action against the factories and institutions responsible for polluting the river. They want those who have caused extensive environmental damage to be held accountable.

The situation in Dilman and surrounding areas highlights the broader issue of industrial pollution and its far-reaching impact on rural communities.

Junior Engineer Jitendra from the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board in Paonta Sahib stated that after receiving complaints from the villagers, water samples were collected and sent for lab analysis. The specific chemical or substance, which had led to the death of the fish, will only be known after the investigation report is received, he added.

Meanwhile, Junior Engineer Manmohan from the Jal Shakti Department said following the villagers’ complaints and the death of the fish, all lift drinking water schemes of the department were suspended for nearly a week. After chlorination and filtration, samples were taken and found safe for drinking. All schemes were resumed after the tanks were cleaned, he added.