which BOD level is 66 mg/l), Sukhrawa Drain, Sahiwal (53 cusecs in which BOD level is 36 mg/l) and Gojra Drain, TT Singh (45 cusecs in which BOD level is 24 mg/l).
Besides the municipal and industrial drains, five irrigation canals are also releasing water into the Ravi, which are Marala Ravi Link Canal, Upper Chenab Canal, QB Link Canal, Trimu Sidhnai Link Canal and Haveli Main Line Canal.
Environmentalists say that water of the Ravi is used for irrigation purposes and toxic chemicals, which are being pumped into it without any treatment, may cause dangerous consequences on agricultural land being cultivated with this poisonous water.
They say in some areas water of the Ravi is also used for drinking purposes, which means a serious threat to humans and animals.
A senior official of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) reveals that Hadyara Drain, Main Outfall Drain and Shadbagh Drain are the most polluted drains throwing industrial and municipal waste into the river.
He claims that thousands of wet tones of human excreta is daily produced in the provincial metropolis and over 50 per cent of this go into the Ravi through various channels.
He says that industrial wastewater contains toxic chemicals and metals and it is alarming that most industries do not have water treatment plants. “They just dispose of untreated toxic waste into nearby drains which pump it into the Ravi,” he says.
A report of WWF-Pakistan reveals that extreme pollution of the Ravi has destroyed the once existing 42 species of native fish while the bird life around the river has migrated to the other areas. Survival of small invertebrates, micro fauna and flora has also been threatened.
EPD Director Naseemur Rehman says the department has raised this issue at every level and finally the Punjab government has started three different projects to ensure pumping of safe and treated water into the Ravi.
He reveals that as per the first project, the Punjab government has approved a PC-2 under which a consultant (international/national) will be appointed to suggest installation of industrial waste water treatment plant either at the start of Hadyara Drain or at the end point where it throws water into the river or at both the points.
According to the second plan, the other side of the river starting from Mehmood Booti till Motorway will be included in the Ravi Front Project and various waste water treatment plants will be constructed to protect the river, Naseem says, adding similarly a PC-2 is awaiting approval for hiring of a consultant firm to suggest installation of waste water treatment plant in Faisalabad and Sumandri.