How has Hindon river pollution triggered a public healthcare crisis? Western Uttar Pradesh, India’s sugar bowl, has been reduced to a drain, the platform DownToEarth documents:
Once a lifeline for communities settled along its banks, the Hindon River in Western Uttar Pradesh, often called India’s Sugar Bowl, has been reduced to a drain carrying domestic and industrial waste. This transformation has been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, skin infections, and hepatitis.
Down To Earth tracked the river for over a week, covering its course through seven districts, including its major tributaries—the Krishni and the Kali. The investigation revealed distress among villagers due to polluted water contaminating hand pumps and agricultural fields. In some areas, residents reported skin conditions and even cases of cancer, with doctors attributing these to prolonged exposure to contaminated water.
