Pollution control boards urged to end use of glyphosate in water bodies
The NGOs have urged the pollution control boards to take necessary action to stop the use of glyphosate and weedicides in rivers and send a Special Inquiry Team to look into this matter.
The continuous use of glyphosate also means groundwater quality will be at risk and this damage could be irreversible. (Representational)
Environmentalists and activists from the city have urged the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to ban the use of glyphosate for checking the growth of water hyacinth in water bodies due to its dangerous impact on human health and aquatic life.
“A toxic weedicide called glyphosate is making inroads into our rivers and lakes. Glyphosate is used to control water hyacinth. But the actual reason for proliferation of water hyacinth is the unregulated discharge of raw sewage into our rivers,” said environmentalists representing over a dozen NGOs in a joint communication to CPCB and MPCB.
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The NGOs have urged the pollution control boards to take necessary action to stop the use of glyphosate and weedicides in rivers and send a Special Inquiry Team to look into this matter.
They said glyphosate has been linked to probable carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, kidney and liver damage, reproductive health problems and neurological effects. “While a threat on the health front for humans, it also poses a greater threat to aquatic life and our river ecosystem. The continuous use of glyphosate also means groundwater quality will be at risk and this damage could be irreversible,” they said.
Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in:
Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps.
Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra.
Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development.
Investigative and Policy Impact:
National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism.
Additional Interests
Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues.
Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More
