The Balochistan High Court has imposed a ban on the cultivation of crops through contaminated water in Quetta and termed this practice illegal.
A bench of the BHC said in its judgment on Tuesday, that cultivation through contaminated water poses a serious threat to human lives.
According to reports, the bench comprises of Justice Hashim Kakar and Justice Abdullah Baloch directed the Balochistan Food Authority to seek the support of the deputy commissioner and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with its order.
The bench further said that criminal proceedings should be initiated against the elements cultivating crops through contaminated water.
Cultivation of crops, vegetables and salads through contaminated water poses a serious threat not only to humans but the lives of animals as well, it said.
The court also declared the permission of partial use of contaminated water for cultivation during 2015 illegal. The BHC bench mentioned that based on information provided by experts show that such cultivation is dangerous.
On what grounds, the farmers are allowed to cultivate crops from half clean and half filthy water, the court questioned. Research shows that if clean and contaminated water mixes, it makes clean water filthy, the bench mentioned.
The court noted that such crops cause cancer, hepatitis A, B and C, and other fatal diseases. However, it also affects the food of animals, which causes their deaths.
Despite repeated announcements by the government, the cultivation of crops through contaminated water is underway in Ghabarg, Kharotabad, and other areas of Quetta city.
Recently, the food authority claimed to have destroyed standing crops in various parts of the city. Nonetheless, the cultivation is going on right under the nose of the authorities in various areas.