Chemical pollution affecting crops in Bharuch: Report

Surat: An expert committee prepared by government officials has raised serious concerns over the impact of agriculture due to severe pollution in many talukas of Bharach district.
The report was prepared by a diagnosis committee comprising district agriculture officer (DAO, Bharuch; agriculture scientists from Navsari Agriculture University (NAU), assistant director, agriculture, Bharuch and Ankleshwar; deputy engineer, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and other officers.
The report was submitted to the collector with a letter which states that phenoxy compounds are affecting the plants and resulting in growth abnormalities .
The committee visited villages of Bharuch and Vagra talukas and studied the impact of pollution on cotton and pigeon pea plantations. A copy of the report is with TOI.
“Abnormal shape of cotton plant leaves was seen while it is little less in pigeon peas compared to cotton. It does not seem due to any disease, insect or any other reason. It is abnormal in these plants and seen among plants growing naturally on the borders of farms,” the report states.
The report further states that, “Such issues have been noticed in the past eight to 10 years. This abnormality was not seen in sorghum.”
In its opinion, the team wrote, “Similar deformities were noticed by diagnosis teams in 2012 and 202. This deformity could be an impact of phenoxy compounds. GPCB should find out about the presence of these compounds in the air in Vagra taluka since this issue has been continuing in this region for the past 10 years.”
“GPCB officers who were members of the team refused to sign the opinion,” the report stated.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Vagra, Arunsinh Rana, also raised the issue and complained to chief minister Vijay Rupani. “Due to pollution, the crops are getting damaged. It is a serious issue since farmers in Bharuch take only one crop in the season. The government has started efforts to identify the exact problem and cure it,” said Rana, who is chairman of Agriculture Market Produce Committee, Bharuch.
KSG president Jayesh Patel also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding compensation for the farmers. “KSG demands compensation of Rs one lakh per hectare and a detailed investigation by scientists and experts,” said Patel.