The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the constitution of a joint committee to take samples of water from Bengaluru’s Ulsoor lake and neighbouring areas

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  The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the constitution of a joint committee to take samples of water from Bengaluru’s Ulsoor lake and neighbouring areas

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• Background - It has been reported that the water quality has come down due to illegal activities being carried out while discharging untreated sewage, effluents and the dumping of garbage into the water body. 
• Singur Dam – It is in Medak district of Telangana. It was constructed on the Manjeera River in 1989. 
• Manjeera is a tributary of Godavari river. Manjeera river originates in Maharashtra and flows from the states of Karnataka and Telangana. It is a reservoir built for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes. It also serves as a source of drinking water for Hyderabad. The deep waters of the reservoir are home to about 1000 crocodiles.
• Components of Water Analysis

1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) - It is the amount of dissolved oxygen used by microorganisms in the biological process of metabolizing organic matter in water. The more organic matter there is (polluted bodies of water) the greater the BOD; and the greater the BOD, the lower the amount of dissolved oxygen available for higher animals such as fishes. The BOD is therefore a reliable gauge of the organic pollution of a body of water.
2. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) – It is a method of estimating how much oxygen would be depleted from a body of receiving water as a result of bacterial action.
3. Coliforms - Water pollution caused by fecal contamination is a serious problem due to the potential for contracting diseases from pathogens (disease causing organisms). The presence of pathogens in the water is determined with indirect evidence by testing for an ‘indicator’ organism such as coliform bacteria. Coliforms are bacteria that are always present in the digestive tracts of animals, including humans, and are found in their wastes. They are also found in plant and soil material.
4. Heavy Metals - Presence of any heavy metals like Arsenic, Phosphorus, etc. Heavy metals are known to induce cardiovascular diseases, developmental abnormalities, neurologic and neurobehavioral disorders, diabetes, hearing loss, hematologic and immunologic disorders. Toxic heavy metals can interfere with absorption and use of nutritionally essential metals such as iron, calcium, copper, and zinc.

• The National Green Tribunal  - It was established in the year 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. It was established for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources, enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. The Tribunal is guided by principles of natural justice.

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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