Stop spraying poisonous chemical into Ulhas river, say activists

Local authorities are spraying glyphosate into Ulhas river to remove water hyacinth. PIC/Ulhas River Jalparni Mukta Abhiyaan 2021

Spraying of glyphosate into Ulhas river by the authorities to remove the water hyacinth growing in the river has drawn flak from activists. A city-based group has complained to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and other relevant authorities, saying that the chemical is poisonous.

Environmentalist Stalin D, director of NGO Vanashakti, has written a letter to the chief secretary of Maharashtra, MPCB, principal secretary (environment), Thane Collector's Office, Union ministry of environment and requested them to stop spraying glyphosate in the river. He further said that the group would inform the Supreme Court, which is hearing the Ulhas river case, about the same.

The letter stated, "We are aghast at this unscientific move which was apparently encouraged by the government. As all are aware that the Ulhas river case is being heard in the Hon'ble Supreme Court and it has passed orders from time to time to stop the discharge of sewage and effluents into the river. It is basic science that water hyacinth is a biological indicator of organic and sewage pollution in any river or waterbody. The solution to that is to stop the sewage from entering the river, not removing the biological indicators to hide the problem."

Ulhas river before and after spraying of the chemical.. Pic/Ulhas River Jalparni Mukta Abhiyaan 2021

Stalin alleged that the act amounts to trying to mislead the Supreme Court into believing that the river is clean. He added, "We also wish to express our disappointment at the periodic meetings not being held to assess the situation... Though sewage treatment plants are being set up by various corporations, nothing has been done to keep the origin and upstream stretches from getting polluted."

The environmental group also questioned if MPCB or Central Pollution Control Board has permitted the spraying of glyphosate. "Isn't there enough scientific evidence that says that glyphosate is harmful, carcinogenic and toxic for marine life? Water hyacinths remove harmful pollutants from the water. They dry up water bodies too, we agree, but till the sewage flow is not stopped, the role of purifying the water performed by the hyacinth is more significant. Once the sewage discharge is stopped, then the hyacinths may be removed in a phased manner. Putting chemicals which poison the drinking water is simply unacceptable. The intentions may be noble, but the science is absent in the process... Needless to say we will be highlighting this issue before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. We request you to take steps in the meanwhile not to engage or encourage such reckless unscientific misadventures in future," the letter concluded.