LAHORE - Irrigating vegetables with wastewater poses a serious threat to human health in Punjab.
Large tracts of agricultural land are being irrigated with wastewater despite a crack down on those involved in this practice. In a single largest operation by the Punjab Food Authority for removal of poisonous vegetables, different vegetables on 546 kanals were destroyed.
PFA has decided to register a case against landowner and farmer in case it is proved vegetables are being irrigated with polluted water.
PFA Director General Noor ul Amin Mengal has directed all operations teams to bring swiftness in their work against adulterators. He said that PFA will discard harmful vegetables before the holy month of Ramazan. “It is enough. PFA will lodge FIR against land owners and farmers involved in this act, which is destroying people’s health,” Mengal said.
The operation was carried out in districts of Lahore, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur and Attock. The teams inspected more than 8000 kanal land, over 3,000 kanal land in Lahore and adjacent areas.
According to PFA sources, vegetables have been discarded in areas including Sanda, Ravi Road, Kahna, Railway Headquarters and Band Road.
Industrial waste and sewerage water treated vegetables were cultivated on an area of 189 kanal in Lahore, 146 kanal in Rawalpindi, 64 kanal in Vehari, 24 kanal in Lodhran, 39 kanal in Multan, 23 kanal in Rajanpur, 20 kanal in Muzaffargarh and 31 kanal in Dera Ghazi Khan.
Food safety teams of PFA ploughed different crops including green chilli, tomato, spinach, pumpkin, bottle gourd, onion and other vegetables.
The DG further said that such poisonous crops cause hepatitis and other diseases for consumers.
“Now FIRs will be lodged against Sunday bazaars administration and stall owners who will be selling vegetables that have been irrigated using waste water,” he said.
Another feature on which PFA is working is to monitor and inspect government tube wells which have been providing mix waster to the vegetables and fruits land to farmers. Action will be taken against the concerned administration.
