Pollution turns Ravi near Lahore into a 'dead river'

Lahore: Highly toxic effluents being discharged into the Ravi river for decades has destroyed animals and plants besides endangering the lives of the inhabitants residing along the river banks.

Already reduced to a drain of industrial and household waste and made one of the most polluted rivers of the country, the river has been cleared of any life forms for more than 10km downstream Lahore.

The Ravi river has become the main victim to the discharge of untreated toxic water and sewer through drains, canals and lak. The river is estimated to receive 47 per cent of the total municipal and industrial discharge pumped into all the rivers of the country.

Raw sewerage

Industrial and agriculture waste from both India and Pakistan pours into Ravi through Hudiara Drain which joins it on the outskirts of Lahore.

The wastewater from Lahore accounted for about 47 per cent of the total flow in 1987, but it has reached around 70 per cent in 2006.

The area irrigated with raw sewerage from the city's outfalls is estimated at 800 to 1,000 hectares with vegetables mainly grown in this area.

The presence of toxic materials in the river water has reached such an extent that it is unable to support any life, with environmentalists proclaiming that "Ravi River has died".

The wide variety of fish which once swam in the fresh waters of the legendary Ravi has vanished over the years as minnows and crabs which the children used to catch from the shallow waters along the banks of the river have also become a part of the folklore.

Even the reeds which used to line the river have also gone with the passage of the time.

Beyond limit

The discharges into the river are almost triple the permissible limits set by the National Environmental Quality Standards. Animals consuming the polluted Ravi water are also affected.

A recent study reveals that the milk of these animals causes cancer of lymphatic organs and disorders in humans besides numerous skin diseases.

The untreated sewage water carries a dangerous cargo of infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals. When it ends up in Ravi, it takes a severe toll on human health and environment.