Cancer is striking at a furious pace in west Uttar Pradesh. By the time the doctors and medical experts have noticed the unusual frequency in this particular area, over a hundred people have already died over the past five years.
Cancer is striking at a furious pace in west Uttar Pradesh. By the time the doctors and medical experts have noticed the unusual frequency in this particular area, over a hundred people have already died over the past five years.
In the swathe between Greater Noida and Baghpat, about 200 villages are facing the scourge. Even conservative estimates put the number of those who are in the second stage of this deadly disease around a thousand while those in the first stage of the disease would be much higher, say experts. What is worse, even children aged as tender as 8 years have lost the battle of life to the malignant crab pincers.
How has this crisis surfaced suddenly?
The startling results have been revealed in a comprehensive survey done by two NGOs, Jal Biradari and Doab Paryavaran Samiti. The studies were conducted in a scientific manner in villages along the rivers Yamuna, Kaali Nadi (Krishna) and Hindon which irrigate the entire west UP.
What are the key findings of the survey?
The study has revealed that high concentrations of lead and mercury in the ground water are the main reason behind the spread of the crab's tentacles. These form a major part of the waste drained directly into the rivers or at unauthorised spots against all rules and norms with complete impunity by hundreds of factories in this area.
What do the experts say?
Senior scientist MA Khan who was part of the study says several other chemicals egurgitated by the industrial units just add to the scourge. A number of cases of breast cancer and throat cancer have also been found in Greater Noida, he says, though the maximum number of cases have been diagnosed for cancer of the liver and the intestines.
What is the government response / reaction to the crisis looming large?
Most predictably, UP health minister Ahmad Hasan has said that the government is seized of the matter and a survey of the affected areas is being conducted. Noida MP and union minister Dr Mahesh Sharma says, "The UP Pollution Control Board has also conducted a study. We will take appropriate action in keeping with its findings and recommendations."
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