The Punjab government has informed the National Green Tribunal that all crop, soil, and irrigation water samples analyzed in a state-commissioned study met prescribed safety limits. The Punjab Biotechnology Incubator submitted the first interim report, covering 11 locations across nine districts, with 440 samples tested. The findings indicated that all samples were below the maximum limits set by standard requirements.
The study revealed uranium concentrations in irrigation water ranging from 0.005 mg/l to 0.131 mg/l, and soil samples showed uranium concentrations between 0.5 mg/kg and 6.7 mg/kg. No specific regulatory limits currently exist for uranium in these categories. The study was initiated following concerns raised by an IIT Mandi research paper on increasing groundwater contamination in Punjab due to intensive agricultural runoff.
The National Green Tribunal had directed the Punjab government to assess heavy metals in crops and submit reports at fixed intervals. Parameters like nitrates, fluoride, total dissolved solids (TDS), and iron in groundwater had exceeded drinking water norms at certain locations. The NGT will review subsequent reports and may re-list the matter if necessary.
