Water, the basic necessity of life, is under threat in Thar as activists have raised concerns over the poisoning of potable water in the region. The situation is dire as Thar is already grappling with a chronic water scarcity issue and the contamination of the available water sources adds another layer of crisis.
Tests conducted by Mehran University are alarming as multiple locations showed an excess of fluoride, lead, mercury, selenium and arsenic. Levels were way above WHO guidelines. These toxic substances will not just have an adverse impact on the human body, causing irreparable damage or even death, but will also have long-term detrimental effects on the ecosystem and biodiversity of the region. This is by no means a mysterious natural phenomenon and is instead the result of some form of human activity, with evidence suggesting the dumping of toxic waste.
Considering the hazardous consequences to life and nature, the federal government must initiate a thorough investigation to ascertain the source of these toxic substances and punish those involved, as a form of deterrence. The dumping of toxic waste into landfill, oceans and rivers by big corporations has become a dangerous habit that has gone unregulated for far too long. Accountability must prevail and strict regulations be set in place to mitigate the using and dumping of toxic materials.
There is also a need for awareness campaigns to educate the local population about the potential hazards of consuming toxic water. Additionally, sustainable and long-term solutions such as implementing water treatment facilities, promoting rainwater harvesting and improving water infrastructure should be explored to address the issue of water scarcity and contamination in Thar.
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