Context: Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to 24 states and 4 Union Territories regarding the presence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater.

NGT’s Suo Motu Action: Arsenic and Fluoride in Groundwater

• The panel was hearing a matter in which it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report that highlighted the presence of arsenic and fluoride beyond permissible limits in groundwater in some pockets of various states and Union Territories. The report stated that arsenic was detected in groundwater in parts of 230 districts across 25 states while fluoride was found in some pockets of 469 districts in 27 states, the tribunal noted in a recent order.

Observations Made by the Panel

• Presence of Metals in Groundwater: A bench of Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel said the Central Ground Water Authority had submitted a report in which it admitted the presence of arsenic and fluoride in the districts and the states.
• Negligence by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA): The CGWA is responsible for regulating groundwater but did not take any independent steps on the grounds that water is a state subject.

About Arsenic

• Presence: It is a highly toxic element naturally present in the environment and in the earth crust and groundwater of a number of countries. 
• Concerns: Arsenic’s long-term exposure from drinking-water and food can cause cancer, skin disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• Permissible Limit: World Health Organisation’s provisional guideline value for arsenic in drinking water – 0.01 mg/l (10 μg/l) and permissible limit of arsenic in India in absence of an alternative source – 0.05 mg/l (50 μg/l).

About Fluoride

• Presence: Soil, water, plants, and foods contain trace amounts of fluoride. Most of the fluoride that people consume comes from fluoridated water, foods and beverages prepared with fluoridated water, and toothpaste and other dental products containing fluoride.
• Toxicity: It is highly toxic. Death may result from ingesting as little as 2 g of fluoride in an adult and 16 mg/kg in children.
• Concerns: Prolonged fluoride consumption in higher concentrations in drinking water can cause dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, kidney diseases and arthritis.
• Permissible Limit: According to WHO 1984 and Indian standard drinking water specification 1991 the maximum permissible limit of fluoride in drinking water is 1.5 ppm and highest desirable limit is 1.0 ppm.

About the Central Ground Water Authority

• Establishment: It was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tubewells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and later on merged with the Groundwater Wing of the Geological Survey of India during 1972.
• Mandate: It is the National Apex Agency entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources of the country.

About NGT

• It is a specialized judicial body established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
• Its primary purpose is to handle cases related to environmental issues and disputes.
• It has jurisdiction over matters concerning the enforcement of environmental laws, conservation of natural resources, and the prevention and control of environmental pollution.
• The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• It comprises three major bodies: the Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and the Expert Members.
  • All these NGT Members are required to hold the office for five years and are not eligible for reappointment.

Must Read: Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report 2023

News Source: Business Standard