Previous Year Question
The problem of water pollution with Arsenic is maximum in
Haryana
Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh
West Bengal
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
One of India's most serious problems of Arsenic contamination in groundwater has been found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra alluvial region of West Bengal.
Arsenic is often released from aquifer sediments into groundwater through natural geogenic processes. Therefore, the problem is not merely a result of industrial pollution.
In West Bengal, groundwater Arsenic contamination has been recorded in several districts, particularly Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas.
According to assessments of the Central Ground Water Board, 79 blocks in 8 districts of West Bengal have recorded Arsenic above the permissible limit. Several areas east of the Bhagirathi River are particularly affected.
Current Status
Groundwater monitoring data for 2024 show that Arsenic contamination continues to occur in West Bengal. Around 8.6% of the analysed samples contained Arsenic above 10 µg/L (0.01 mg/L). Major affected areas included Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas.