Farmers are not convinced that dirty water affects crops.
32-year-old Rajkumar Kushwaha and his family have been living on two acres of encroached land in Bhopal's Shahpura area for almost 40 years. Until a month ago, he used sewage water from a nearby drain to grow vegetables at his farm. But now, he claims after warnings from the district administration, he uses water from a 10-feet pit right next to the drain, which he claims in clean.
One can, however, see how dirty the pit water is and it seems just an attempt to eye wash the authorities who are against the use of sewage water for farming.
There are 47 more such families who use sewage water to grow vegetable in the Shahpura area. These farmers claim to comply by the administration's orders, but are not convinced that dirty water affects crops.
"We have been consuming the vegetables grown here. We have never fallen ill, if government wants it can get us medically checked. If they feel we are selling toxic vegetables," said Mr Kushwaha.
The National Green Tribunal in May this year had ordered the Bhopal administration to destroy crops grown with sewage water, as it is unfit for human consumption. The district administration till now has managed to clear vegetation on 40 acres of estimated 140 acres area, according to a horticulture survey. The Bhopal administration feels it is a challenge that can only be achieved if the farmers support them.
"We have already destroyed contaminated crops twice, but yes it is an issue that keeps coming back to us. As after we destroy crops once the people living their illegally tend to come back again and sow the land again," said Bhopal Collector Nishant Warwade.
Also a big hurdle in its implementation is the lack of funds. The administration requires almost Rs 6.5 crores to put fences around the 140 acre farmland after destroying the crops so that the people do not encroach the land again to cultivate contaminated vegetables. While the administration claims to be in control of the situation, contaminated vegetables continue to make way to local markets and to the plates of the consumers.
"It is a big issue as we do not know whether the vegetables we are buying are safe or not for consumption. The government should put an end to this," said Anirudha Khede, a consumer.