Laboratory tests have proved that the underground water in Thar has a heavy percentage of arsenic deposits. This has caused reproductive disorders in females, as well as kidney and lung problems, and bone deformation.
According to a 1999 study by the US- based National Academy of Sciences, arsenic in drinking water causes bladder, lung and skin cancer, and may cause kidney and liver cancer. The study found that arsenic harms the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as causing heart trouble and serious skin problems.
A person can come into contact with arsenic in many different ways. Since it is a natural part of the environment, everyone is exposed to small amounts of arsenic. In Achro Thar, the most common source of arsenic is the ground water, which can enter the body through drinking the water or by eating food that has been cooked in it. Mineral deposits in some areas naturally contain high levels of the highly toxic element. Groundwater flowing through these deposits can absorb this arsenic, which can increase its amount in well water. As arsenic has no smell or taste, a layperson cannot tell if it is present in drinking water.
Arsenic removal can be achieved through advanced treatment technologies, like filtration (reverse osmosis). The equipment needed to make use of filtration is easy to install and operate. Other technologies that can achieve the same purpose include co-precipitation, aeration, conventional filtration and ion exchange.
Government agencies and social welfare organisations have failed to take steps to overcome this problem of Achro Thar. The proposed solution to this problem does not need mobilisation of heavy resources but only a little consideration and installation of water purification techniques that can make a great difference to the people of the area. The poor, ignorant inhabitants of Achro Thar have gone through immense suffering, which can be alleviated at very little cost. Consequences of failure to address the situation may cause severe economic and social disruption for the people of the area.
It is the constitutional right of the people that the state looks after their well being and provides them with basic necessities of life such as food, clean water and healthcare. However, it has miserably failed in not only redressing the problems faced by the people of Achro Thar, but also in failing to acknowledge that they, in fact, are facing a grave risk to their lives.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2012.
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Hi, does anyone have any contact with anyone of that region ? We need some contacts of the local people of the region. Perhaps we can do something.
@GD: It is the mind set that Government (god) will provide it. If you do not pay taxes than you loose the right to ask for services. There is not enough political capital or money to siphon out and hence it may never get done. This is where NGO’s step in but sometime they may have ulterior motives too. In Bangladesh millions of purification machines were installed without government help. It was mainly done by youth for a nominal fee to user or village council to cover the cost of maintenance. Another example comes to mind is Indian adivasi wife left husband’s house with ultimatum that I will be only back when you have indoor toilet. Now everyone in that village has toilet and that last month lady was given a UN award. May be writer can use his penmanship to inspire someone to form a NGO and take over the project and set example for others.
An objective insight. Keep it up bro!
@economy Stupid: may be its easy to import equipments from Bangladesh but considering the problems and level of approach of people of thar its not easy for them. when the inhabitants of that area are cut from the world due to lack of transport and communication, they even don't know what the solution is to their problem. and when it is the responsibility of the government then why should take it on ourselves and relieve govt: of it.
Excellent work done ....
Nice n impressive piece of writing,
For pennies we can have water purification for each family drinking need if we cannot do it on a large scale. It is the same way that phone land lines cannot be installed but cell phone can be provided with ease. However, who cares what the poor drink or eat. As long as the have nots have their bottled water and the country nuclear bombs. It is up to the rural majority to stand up for their rights and set the priorities straight. Nobody has given it to them, they have to snatch it.
Good article with accurate information. This week National Institute of Health has released a study where it shows that in the presence of arsenic stem cells can form tumors. Do not forget the white spots on the skin are due to Arsenic too. Majority of Bangladesh (80%) has arsenic contaminated water. India is world leader in the water purification system and it has been proven effective all over in Bangladesh. Rather than asking for some one to install this water purifier local people should take cue from Bangladesh and take a collection from the village and purchase one or two of this purifier as it is not that expensive and not that complicated to operate. Yes it needs electricity to operate. Once it works for you educate and train people from nearby villages too. Good Luck.
Very good article. But, unfortunately, instead of expecting anything good from the government, better contact any foreign NGO that might help. No dams, no irrigation water no drinking water so on. Who cares? The constitutional rights of the people of Achro Thar can be the least on the minds of our rulers. Important issues as the scandals of their children and how to defend them is a thing far more profitable and worrying than such issues. Just pray for all Pakistanis.