Noamundi: Indiscriminate exploitation of underground water coupled with unauthorized mining activities has led to fast depletion of the underground water table in Noamundi in West Singhbhum. If measures are not taken soon, the situation may soon go beyond control.
According to sources, fifty iron ore crusher plants are established in thickly populated Goan Gutu, Tankura, Khas Jamda and Bara Jamda under Noamundi block, West Singhbhum. The crusher plants extract water from deep bore well for dripping and sprinkling, thereby causing depletion of underground water level. The villagers are consequently facing acute water crisis as their tube wells have dried up. Now, they fetch drinking water from a far off fountain.
Inhabitants of the area are irked over the alarming situation. One of the villagers of Gaongutu, who is also a social activist, Durga Devgam, says, �In 2004, the water level of this area was 80 feet. As of now, the water level has gone down below 320 feet and if it continues, in the next 14 to 15 years there will be no water left�.
Devgam further said, �The Crusher plants are illegally established in the vicinity of the village against the guide lines of Jharkhand Environment and Pollution Control Board. Not only face we water shortage but also pollution. The way, they are allowed to run their industries seem the crusher plants owner have gloves in hand with Government authorities.
Contacted, the SDO of Public Health engineering Department (PHED) Raj Kumar, said, �Bada Jamda consumes 1,80,000 litres of water every day. Deep bore wells of crusher plant are responsible for the rapid depletion of water level in Barajamda. Action will be taken against the crusher unit owners. They will be asked to make alternative arrangements for dripping and sprinkling in their crusher plant as surface water sources are available in the form of streams. At present there are 1350 tube wells in Jagarnathpur Block and 1650 tube wells in Noamundi block.�
