Experts stress need for study of crops grown along ECP

VADODARA, Dec 17: A comprehensive study of the quality of crop and vegetables grown along the about 55 kms of the effluent channel projec...

VADODARA, Dec 17: A comprehensive study of the quality of crop and vegetables grown along the about 55 kms of the effluent channel project should be undertaken. This was opined by experts at a seminar on `Irrigation Use of Effluents’ held here on Thursday.

The theme assumed a great significance for the residents of Vadodara as there had been numerous reports about deterioration in quality of crops grown along the ECP which began from Nandesari and discharged effluents into to Gulf of Cambay. This, according to reports, was in the wake of use of industrial discharge by farmers of the area for irrigation purpose and also leakages from the ECP which polluted the soil of the areas.

Organised by the Central Pollution Control Board and Society for Clean Environment, the seminar was attended by DC Anil Mukim, senior scientists of CPCB and GPCB, industries representatives, and university students.While Dr V V Modi and Dr Sanjay Pandit of SOCLEEN welcomed the guests and proposed the vote of thanks, respectively, CPCB chief at Vadodara unit Dr S S Bala introduced the theme to the participants and cautioned the industrialists that the day was not far when they would face an acute water shortage and be compelled to recycle their effluents. While another expert S Ramani gave a detailed note on the inter-relation of soil, effluent and type of crops and gave examples of good harvests in South Gujarat, Dr D D Basu highlighted the need to treat all types of effluents in a scientific manner.

Following a panel discussion, Mukim assured administrative support for the plans to carry out a study on the deteriorating quality of the crops. Though State Civil Supply Minister Jaspal Singh and CPCB Chairman Prof D K Biswas were also scheduled to speak, they could not reach Vadodara in the wake of delayed Indian Airlines flights from New Delhi.