Untreated effluents from industrial units flowing into the Surajpur have killed over a dozen trees at the wetland, considered the ‘green lungs’ of Greater Noida and a haven for more than 180 species of birds from Asia and Europe during the migratory season.
Birders and environmentalists claimed several trees on the eastern arm of the wetland near Kasba village have died due to the discharge of effluents allegedly from Yamaha’s motorcycle manufacturing unit.
On Friday, a team from the pollution department collected samples from a pipeline discharging water from the Yamaha factory. Samples collected by the department in November last year indicated the presence of high levels of heavy metal. Subsequently, a committee was set up last year to retest the waters and initiate appropriate action.
As per the Provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, CPCB and state pollution control boards monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under the provisions of these Acts.
During a visit to the site, this reporter found an outlet of a pipeline jutting out from the Yamaha factory’s boundary and discharging water into the wetland. When approached, the company sought more time to respond on the matter. There was no response till the time of going to press.
Another stormwater drain that originates in Hapur and passes through several industrial areas also empties into the wetland.
According to environmentalist Vikrant Tongad, there are about 100 industrial units near the wetland and most of them were discharging untreated water into the wetland. “We have already lost more than dozens of trees and many more will be destroyed if this continues. The waterbody near the Yamaha boundary wall has already turned black,” he said.
Tongad recently wrote to Union minister of labour and employment, environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav about the destruction of trees at Surajpur wetland.
Spread over 308 hectares, of which 60 hectares is a lake, the wetland is city’s largest reserve forest and one of three major birding spots after Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Dhanauri wetland.
Pranab J Patar, an environmentalist, said, “Surajpur is a wetland of immense ecological importance and a favourable bird habitat for both resident and migratory avifauna. Being a designated wetland, it is supposed to enjoy protection against disturbances that can disrupt its ecosystem and deprive birds and other fauna of a healthy habitat. Since it is located in an industrial belt, authorities need to doubly ensure that its water quality remains intact and free from all forms of pollutants and sewage.”
Deo K Gupta, the regional officer of UPPCL in Greater Noida, said all Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) outlets of industrial units are tested quarterly. “When the samples from the Yamaha pipeline failed the prescribed norm in November last year, a joint committee was set up by Lucknow to conduct a retest. The committee includes the regional officers of Noida, Greater Noida and Bulandshahr,” Gupta said, adding the retest reports are expected next week.
Locals living near the wetland claimed they had seen the canopy thin, branches dry, and eventually trees dieback on the east bank over the last four years due to chemical discharge into the waterbody. “A pungent smell hangs in the air in this part of the wetland. It becomes unbearable in the summers,” Rajveer, a local resident said.
District forest officer (DFO) Pramod Srivastav said the forest department has escalated the matter and strict action will be taken against the manufacturing units polluting the wetland.
