BHC imposes ban on cultivation through contaminated water
Staff Reporter :
QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) imposed a ban on the cultivation of crops through contaminated water in Quetta and termed this practice illegal. Cultivation through contaminated water poses a serious threat to human lives, a division bench of the BHC said in its judgement. The bench comprises of Mr. Justice Hashim Khan Kakar and Mr. Justice Abdullah Baloch on Tuesday.
The bench directed the Balochistan Food Authority to seek the support of the deputy commissioner and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with its order. Criminal proceedings should be initiated against the elements cultivating crops through contaminated water, the court said.
Cultivation through contaminated water poses a serious threat to human lives
Such cultivation of crops including vegetables, salads, etc also pose a serious threat to the lives of animals besides human being, the bench noted. The court also declared the permission of partial use of contaminated water for cultivation during 2015 illegal.
The BHC bench mentioned that based on information provided by experts show that such cultivation is dangerous. On what grounds, the farmers allowed to cultivate crops from half clean and half filthy water, the court questioned. Research shows that if clean and contaminated water mixes, it makes clean water filthy, the bench mentioned in its order.
The court noted that such crops cause cancer, hepatitis abc, and other fatal diseases. However, it also affects the food of animals, which causes their deaths also.
Despite repeated announcements by the government, the cultivation of crops through contaminated water is underway in Ghabarg, Kharotabad, and other areas of Quetta city. Recently, the food authority claimed to have destroyed standing crops in various parts of the city. Nonetheless, the cultivation is going on right under the nose of the authorities in various areas.
BHC imposes ban on cultivation through contaminated water
