Scientist demands demolition of 12 check dams in UP

A scientist today moved the National Green Tribunal seeking directions to demolish 12 check dams in western Uttar Pradesh as they were allegedly contaminating the ground water.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, who declined to issue notice to the Uttar Pradesh government, tagged the plea with a similar case and fixed the matter for hearing on January 12.
The NGT was hearing a petition filed by retired scientist C V Singh who has alleged that the analysis report of water samples near the check dams showed heavy metals in excess of the prescribed limits.
The 12 check dams were constructed by the Department of Agriculture in 2004 to restore the ecological balance in the watershed in Baghpat and Shamli districts of Uttar Pradesh, the plea, filed through advocate Gaurav Bansal, said.

"It is respectfully submitted that because of the seepage through said Bundhs (check dams) the contaminated river water is joining the groundwater of the said area and it is because of the said process that the groundwater is also getting highly contaminated.
"That the analysis report of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam shows that the groundwater of the said area is not only contaminated but also contains heavy metals like Iron, Mercury, Nitrate, Cadmium, Sulphide etc," the plea claimed.
It further said the villagers are forced to drink the contaminated groundwater containing heavy metals, due to which children were facing health problems.