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NGT – Photo : Samvad
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The water of West Bengal and Bihar has the highest amount of arsenic. The situation is such that the arsenic present in the groundwater is also affecting the crops. Also, it is reaching people’s body through food items. Recently the Central Government has given this information to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT, which was hearing the issue of rice being affected by arsenic, had sought a reply from the Central Government.
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A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said in the order that the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare had filed its reply after seeking inputs from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Center has written in its reply that the water of West Bengal and Bihar has the highest amount of arsenic. Arsenic is entering the soil due to irrigation with contaminated water. After this it enters the food items.
The Center has said in response that the amount of arsenic in rice may be high because rice is also a water-intensive crop. Rice grown in areas where arsenic is abundant will contain arsenic. If it is taken to other places, there is a risk of a large population being affected by arsenic. Now NGT has sought reply by making Indian Council of Agricultural Research a defendant in the case. The case will now be heard on April 15.
Arsenic entry starts from the roots
The central government told the NGT that the entry of arsenic into the crop starts through the roots. After the root it reaches the stem and then the leaves. A report said that more arsenic has been found in leafy vegetables like spinach, fenugreek and ground vegetables like beetroot, potato, radish. Whereas less arsenic is found in plant vegetables like brinjal, tomato, okra, beans.
Also told about reducing the effects of arsenic
The Center has also told NGT about measures to reduce arsenic in crops. According to this, in the places where there is arsenic, rice which requires more water should be replaced by rice which requires less water. Apart from this, arsenic tolerant rice variety should be sown. Leguminous crops should be grown in such areas during dry season. Arsenic can be reduced by using green manure and silicate manure. Apart from this, water containing arsenic should be collected in the pond and it should be reduced with rain water.
