REPORT ON THE STATUS OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN BBN RELEASED ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

5 June 2014,
On the occasion of World Environment Day, two groups, Him Parivesh and Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective, released a Report  on Industrial Pollution in the BBN (Baddi barotiwala Nalagarh) Industrial Area. The report is a compilation of issues raised at a Public hearing organised two months ago, i.e on 5th April 2014 at Kaduwana Gurudwara at Baddi. An independent panel comprising of journalist Rakesh Lohumi, Public Health expert from PGI Dr. Rajesh Kumar and a scientist from Peaople’s Science Institute Dr. Arvind Gautam, presided over the proceedings of the hearing. “The panel on the day of public hearing received close to 60 written submissions and 25 oral testimonies were recorded. The industrial units identified as major violators were Khurana Chemicals at Maganpur, Greenply unit at Panjhera, Kangra Steel Mill and Eastman battery unit at Kripalpur, Amico Tex at Bir Palasi, Sara Textiles at Bhatiya, Him Chem at Kheda, Vardhaman Auro Mills at Bassi, Gilvet Ispat at Jharmajri. Stone crushers were also identified as a major cause for air and water pollution, with practically no check on the numbers operating.”

Some of the common issues raised at the hearing by those affected by industrial pollution included air, water and noise pollution, dumping of hazardous waste, impacts on health, agriculture, irrigation and infrstructure like roads and bridges due to siltation and scouring of the river bed due to mining.

The report also records, “The units in BBN area are notorious for operating without the mandated licenses and consents as per the law. Information obtained by the Himdhara under the Right to Information Act, 2005 reveal that as of March 2014, at least 1131 units out of a total 2063 units did not have a valid consent to operate.Out of these 1131 units without consent, 104 units were from the red category, 440 units from orange and 587 from green category.”

As per the report, “The PCB has failed to monitor the environment, especially air quality in the region, as per the set parameters defined under law. In 2009 the National Ambient Air Quality standards were amended to accommodate monitoring of at least 12 parameters including PM 10, PM 2.5 and a range of volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in the air. As per the annual report submitted by the HP PCB in 2012, the agency continues the follow the outdated parameters set in 1998 and monitors mere 4 parameters in air.”

The report also raises the issue of Solid Waste management and that much of the Solid Waste generated in the area is not being sent to the only Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility available in the state. The report also provides a detailed analysis of the issue of River bed Mining. It questions the ability of the under construction Common Effluent Treatment Plant to be able to deal with the diverse nature of pollutants in the water.

“Most of the recommendations are directed to the Pollution Control Board. That the board needs to be better equipped with trained staff and equipment as well but more than that it needs to ensure complete transparency in its functioning and space for community participation in monitoring pollution. Additionally, there is also a need to strengthen the siting guidelines, segregation industrial zones from residential, agriculture and educational areas”, said the report. Additionally, with regard to River bed mining the report reccomends, The industries and the environment departments should conduct a cumulative impact assessment as well as a carrying capacity study for stone crushers in the area to assess the sustainable volumes of extractable material

We would be personally submitting the report to the Chairperson PCB and hope that it will serve as an important tool for action.

To see full report here : BBN PH Report 5th June
IIT Kanpur Study
Ground Water Study by Punjab University

Post Author: Admin