The Indic Society for Education and Development (INSEED)


Investigation of environmental conditions and pollution of soil, surficial deposits, groundwater and surface water in three areas in India
This is a geo-environmental project focusing on water and soil quality of the Behedi basin, Kalwan Taluka, Nashik district and two other tribal areas in India. Anthropogenic activities, use of pesticides, lack of sewerage facilities, cattle breeding practices, and lack of education on clean environment are quite similar in India and Nicaragua. These were the main focus areas of the research conducted in Nicaragua by Dr. Ulpu Väisänen and other researchers of the Geological survey of Finland (GTK). Hence, we plan to replicate the study in India concentrating mainly on the areas which are farming areas with cattle breeding and possibly some mining areas, exploiting the experience of the Finnish experts in Nicaragua.

Period: April 2007 - January 2008

The team:

  1. Bijoy Joseph, PhD(Geology), INSEED
  2. Ulpu Väisänen, PhD(Geology), Geological Survey of Finland, Finland
  3. Jaydeep Nikam, PhD(Geology), YCMOU, Nashik

Financial support: The pilot study in part is supported by contribution from INSEED, Jaydeep Nikam, YCMOU, Nashik and Ulpu Väisänen, Geological Survey of Finland, Finland. An external funding is being sought for field work and laboratory analysis.

Aims: The main aim of the study is to assess the contamination of surface and groundwater by pesticides and toxic elements. The study also aims to educate the local community about hygiene and sanitation, and to build eco-friendly toilets.

Plan and implementation: The following steps are planned to accomplish the above aims.

  1. Pilot study: To follow-up the area of the study conducted during 1992-1995 in the Behedi basin and to extend the 1992-1995 study to analyse the residue of pesticides in groundwater as well as in soil samples.
  2. Expansion of the study to include analysis of pesticides and other biochemical analysis of the samples from the study sites and two other study areas.

Status and outcome: Sample collection was completed in January 2008, and the analysis reports are awaited.

Publications: Photographs
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