Petition to Clean Varaladevi Lake in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra

Varal Devi Lake (Varola Lake) is the largest lake of Bhiwandi city. This lake is surrounded by hills, residential places like buildings, small huts, rocks and gardens. The water from this lake is used for the purpose of drinking and domestic uses and for fishing. Many nets are immersed into the water for catching fish. This water is also used for supplying to fire brigade. However, the lake has been severely polluted in recent years.

The pollution of Varaladevi Lake has a number of negative impacts. It is a health hazard for people who bathe and drink the water. It also poses a threat to the environment, as it can contaminate the soil and water supply.

The lake is home to a variety of aquatic life that is under threat. The pollution is killing fish and other aquatic life, and it is also disrupting the lake's ecosystem. Cleaning up the lake would help to protect the aquatic life and restore the lake's ecosystem.

We believe that cleaning up Varaldevi Lake is a worthwhile investment. The lake is a valuable resource for the people of Bhiwandi, and it has the potential to be a beautiful and thriving ecosystem. We urge the government to take action to clean up the lake and protect the health and well-being of the people of Bhiwandi.

We are calling on the government to take immediate action to clean up Varaldevi Lake. This includes:

• Dredging the lake to remove sediment and debris
• Installing a filtration system to remove pollutants
• Adding boundaries around the lake to prevent drowning and public safety 
• Creating a buffer zone around the lake to protect aquatic life
• Stop the dumping of sewage and industrial waste into the lake.
• Create a sewage treatment plant to treat the sewage before it is released into the lake.
• Educate the public about the importance of keeping the lake clean.
• Provide funding for the cleanup of the lake
• Using the Japanese method to clean.

We, the undersigned, are calling on the authorities to take immediate action to clean up Varaladevi Lake. We believe that this is a matter of urgent public health and environmental concern.

Research Paper

A study published by “INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL ON ADVANCED SCIENCE HUB” - Shaziya Mohammed Irfan Momin (G.M Momin college):

Wetlands play a crucial role in sustaining millions of aquatic animals and are home to the richest biodiversity among all ecosystems. In the case of Lake Bhiwandi, the concentration of chloride in the water has been measured before, during, and after immersion activities. Understanding the risk of using this water for potable purposes is critical for protecting the health of both animals and humans.

Various sources contribute to water contamination, including point sources such as mining and smelting processes, industrial waste discharge, and vehicle emissions, as well as non-point sources like pesticides and fertilizers. Regardless of the source, polluted and contaminated water can have harmful effects on animals, plants, and ultimately humans.

The concentration of chloride in Lake Bhiwandi is currently below the prescribed WHO and BIS standards and is not harmful to human health. However, the amount of residual chlorine in the water is higher than the prescribed BIS standard. This indicates that the slow dissolution of idols releases chloride ions that combine with the added chlorine used for disinfection, resulting in residual chlorine. Therefore, it is imperative to take action to clean and protect Lake Bhiwandi and prevent further contamination to ensure the safety of the surrounding ecosystem and human health.

Research Paper Link

A study published by “IJISET” -  Momin Shaziya Mohammed Irfan says:

The presence of heavy metals in the Varal Devi lake is a cause for concern, as it can lead to toxicity and harm to human beings, aquatic flora and fauna. While pH, dissolved solids, and acidity are within normal levels, the appearance, colour, odour, and taste of the water do not meet IS standards. The presence of Pb is relatively high but still within the permissible limit set by USPH. However, since the lake is also used for fishing purposes, it is crucial to monitor the water quality periodically to prevent heavy metal pollution from entering the food chain and affecting human health.

Immediate steps must be taken to check anthropogenic activities around the lake to save it from further pollution. It is essential to take action to protect this vital water body and preserve it for future generations

Research Paper Link.

A study published by “IJAPRR” -  Momin Shaziya Mohammed Irfan:

Amount of phenol in the lake water is greater than the standard value prescribed by WHO,BIS and USPH .As this water is used for drinking purpose ,if concentration of phenol goes high then it leads to various disease and disorder in human being .This indicate that the water is not suitable for drinking purpose and may cause harmful effect.Therefore it is recommended that avoid using the water body for immersion of idol which is a source of eatables

Research Paper Link

A study published by “International Journal of Current Research” -  Momin Shaziya Mohd Irfan and Pramoda Sasidharan Pillai:

The bio-accumulation of heavy metals in the biological system transfers the toxic elements from the producer to consumer level which can be a future health hazard (Mukerjee Aniruddhe, 2000). Heavy metals are important environmental pollutants and their toxicity is a problem of increasing significance for ecological, evolutionary, and environmental reasons (Kausik Kumar Das et al., 2012).

The heavy metal load in the reservoir indicates the heavy metal toxicity which varies at different festival conditions. Most of the heavy metals, if present beyond permissible limits in water are toxic to human beings, aquatic flora and fauna (Puri et al., 2011).

Waterborne manganese has a greater bioavailability than dietary manganese. Higher levels of exposure to manganese in drinking water are associated with increased intellectual impairment and reduced intelligence quotients in school-age children (Kausik Kumar Das et al., 2012; Elsner, Robert and Spangler, John 2005; Finley, John Weldon; Davis, Cindy 1999).

We find that Manganese is present in relatively higher concentrations as compared to their permissible limits (set by WHO and ISI). As Varal Devi lake is also used for fishing purposes, it is quite evident that this heavy metal may enter the food chain, and thus through bio magnifications enter the human body as well. Periodical monitoring of the water quality is thus required to assess the condition of water body and immediate steps should be taken to check the anthropogenic activity around the lake. This will be helpful in saving the lake from heavy metal pollution (Paustenbatch et al., 2003: Ram et al., 2011)

Research Paper Link

A study published by “International Journal of Development Research” - Shaziya Mohammed Irfan Momin (G.M Momin College):

Deviations were observed by water samples at different points in viral Devi Lake. All the water samples from sites S1 to S8 shows very poor water quality. It was probably due to the domestic waste in lake water. 6636 International Journal of Development Research, Vol. 06, Issue, 02, pp.6634-6637, February, 2016 The water samples from sites S1 to S8 are polluted and unfit for drinking purpose. To improve the quality of water of the entire eight sites, there should be continuous monitoring of the pollution level.

Research Paper Link

A study published by “INFLIBNET Centre” :

The Varal Devi Lake in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra is an important source of drinking water and is also used for fishing. However, the lake is facing pollution due to the disposal of waste materials such as domestic waste, waste from industrial textile mills, and immersion of idols made of non-biodegradable materials such as thermocol and synthetic paints containing heavy metals.

Heavy metal pollution in the lake is a serious problem that needs to be addressed for the health and well-being of the local community and tourists. Low levels of heavy metal pollution in the water can have damaging effects on the aquatic ecosystem and can also enter the food chain, ultimately endangering human health. Although some heavy metal ions are important for living systems, they are also highly toxic and can cause serious environmental and health problems.

Immediate action needs to be taken to address the pollution in Varal Devi Lake. This includes proper waste management, monitoring of water quality, and controlling anthropogenic activities around the lake. It is important to remember that the health of the lake is essential for the health and happiness of the local community and visitors to the area.

Research Paper Link

Here are some examples of how the pollution of Varaladevi Lake is a health hazard:

• Children who bathe in the lake are at risk of developing waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever.
• People who drink the water from the lake are at risk of developing waterborne diseases, as well as kidney problems and liver damage.
• The pollution of the lake can also cause skin problems, such as rashes and itching.
• The pollution of the lake can also contribute to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever.

We urge the local government to take action to clean up Varaldevi Lake. It is a matter of both public health and environmental protection.

Once a petition has been gathered, it can be sent to the relevant government officials. This can be done by mail, email, or in person. In addition to sending the petition, it is also a good idea to contact government officials directly and explain the issue in more detail.

Himanshu Maurya

+918149963853

mhimanshu.338@gmail.com

 

 

Thank you for your support!