UPPCB takes punitive steps against units causing pollution

According to UPPCB records,more than 1,780 industrial units in the state discharge liquid waste and 1,740 units discharge gases. In the last few days,several units have either faced punitive steps or received showcause notices from the UPPCB for violation of the norms.

According to the recent Board inspection,the maximum number of industries violating the environmental standards for water pollution control are found in Kanpur Dehat,Auriya,Meerut,Saharanpur,Muzaffarnagar,Firozabad,Aligarh,Lucknow,Bareilly,Unnao,Noida,Varanasi,Gorakhpur,Bijnore,Bulandshahar and Faizabad. While,the maximum number of units violating standards set for air pollution control are in Noida,Sonbhadra,Jhansi,Meerut,Firozabad,Bulandshahar,Lucknow,Varanasi,Moradabad,Rae Bareli,Bijnore and Gorakhpur.

Most of the industries violating the environmental norms are engaged in manufacture of textiles,dyes,lead,fertilizers,chemicals and pesticides. Large number of tanneries and refineries also do not fulfill the environment standards.

Officials said environment standards vary for different industries. Member secretary of the UPPCB,C S Bhatt,said,“A large number of industrial units are found to be violating the norms. We have taken action against 57 industrial units for causing air pollution. While 15 such units have been closed,others have been served showcause notices.”

Bhatt said,“UPPCB is also taking action against units for causing water pollution. At least 69 of them have been closed and others have been served notices and directives.”