REPORT OF SURVEY UNDERTAKEN FOR WATER POLLUTION OF FIVE MAJOR PONDS OF RANCHI,JHARKHAND

By- Arnab Kumar Das, Isha Mukherjee and Shruti Ghosh

The students of Department-of-Zoology of St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi- Arnab Kumar Das, Isha Mukherjee and Shruti Ghosh conducted a survey to know common peoples’ opinion on water pollution of five major ponds located in different areas of Ranchi viz.,  Bada Talab, Line Tank Talab, Banas Talab, Batam Talab and Joda Talab. Survey was conducted from 9^th August,2018 to 16^th September,2018 in which 600 people from different areas of Ranchi participated. This survey work was done under the guidance of Dr. Bharti Singh Raipat, H.O.D., Department of Zoology and Mr. Manoj Kumar as well as Dr. Manoj Kumar.

Following is the detailed report and analysis of the survey-

v Reasons cited for water body being polluted (Lake Wise)-

Ø Ranchi Lake-

a)     Bathing and Washing of vehicles near the embankments

b)    Dumping of waste materials by the people

c)     Dumping of Bio-medical waste by a hospital located nearby

d)    Immersion of Idols

e)     Immersion of old puja goods

f)      Construction activities by local authorities

g)     Absence of periodical cleaning by concerned authorities

Ø Line Tank Lake-

a)     Bathing and washing of clothes near the embankments

b)    Dumping of garbage

c)     Pisciculture

d)    Absence of periodical cleaning

e)     Immersion of Idols

v Banas Talab-

a)     Bathing and washing of clothes by local people

b)    Dumping of waste materials

c)     Immersion of Idols

d)    Immersion of old puja goods

e)     Pisciculture

f)      Absence of periodical cleaning by local authorities

v Joda Talab-

a)     Bathing and washing of clothes by local people

b)    Lack of civic sence by local authorities

c)     Immersion of Idols

v Have water pollution levels increased in water bodies of Ranchi-

Ø 528 people- Yes

Ø 72 people- No

v Do common people also contribute to water pollution-

·        582 people- Yes

·        18 people- No

v Rankings of  Water Bodies according to pollution levels as rated by people-

1)    212 People- Ranchi Lake (Bada Talab)

2)    180 People- Line Tank Pond

3)    122 People- Batam Talab

4)    66 People- Banas Talab

5)    20 People- Joda Talab

v Are measures taken by government enough to curb the meance of water pollution-

Ø 558 people- No

Ø 42 people- Yes

v Colouration of water bodies as reported by people-

Ø Ranchi Lake (Bada Talab)- Greenish

Ø Line Tank Pond- Greenish-Yellow

Ø Joda Talab- Greenish

Ø Banas Talab- Greenish

Ø Batam Talab- Greenish

v How does water pollution affects the survey taker on individual and collective levels-

Ø On individual level-

a)     Dirty water bodies give foul odour

b)    Water becomes unfit for usage

c)     Causes itching when bathed

Ø On Collective level-

a)     Dirty water bodies are sites for mosquito breeding

b)    Causes skin disorders in longer run

c)     Fish thriving in waters will get affected and so will the people who will eat it

d)    In longer run, water will become unfit for any usage

v Reasons for increase in water pollution over the years in water bodies of Ranchi according to survey takers-

a)     Overpopulation

b)    Lack of civic sense among people

c)     Ignorance by government authorities

v Suggestions of people to reduce the water pollution in the waters of aquatic bodies of Ranchi and in the vicinity of Ranchi-

a)     Awareness campaigns and cleanliness drives should be carried on a regular basis

b)    Strict laws should be framed by people of authority and implemented

c)     Common people should also volunteer

d)    Garbage catcher nets should be installed from a few distance away from the embankments.

SUMMARY

The students of Department-of-Zoology of St. Xavier’s College- Arnab Kumar Das, Isha Mukherjee and Shruti Ghosh conducted a survey to know common peoples’ opinion on water pollution of five major ponds located in different areas of Ranchi viz.,  Bada Talab, Line Tank Talab, Banas Talab, Batam Talab and Joda Talab. The survey was conducted during the months of August and September and 600 people from different localities of Ranchi participated in it. According to the data received by survey takers, Bada Talab was found to be the most polluted pond whereas Joda Talab was the least polluted one. Dumping of waste materials, bathing and washing of clothes near the embankments, immersion of idols and discharge of run-off water into the ponds from various sources were the chief reasons of pollution of these ponds. Some people had the opinion that construction of embankments and boundary walls around the ponds have decreased the opportunity of throwing waste materials into the ponds which will result in a gradual decrease in pollution level over a period of time. Due to considerable pollution levels, the people who are dependent on these ponds suffer from various water borne diseases and skin disorders. Therefore, to curb the menace of pollution of ponds, survey takers believed that besides government and local authorities, the participation of common man is need of the hour. To ensure people’s participation, cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns should be organized from time to time. This survey work was done under the guidance of  Dr. Bharti Singh Raipat, H.O.D., Department of Zoology and Mr. Manoj Kumar.

v The survey work was also covered by Dainik Jagran Ranchi and Dainik Jharkhand online web portal as well.