Investigation pollution — NGO

The members noted that great damage was done to the ecology in the Golden Corridor. Rohit Prajapati, another member, stated that in at least 60 per cent of the cases, the environmental damage is irreversible. The members feared that the area’s remaining water sources will become contaminated if resources are degraded at current rates.

Alleging that the State Government and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) have failed to control air, water and land pollution, the members have urged the Chief Minister to resolve the water problem of the area, both for drinking and irrigation purposes.

To create public awareness on the issue of pollution, the Samiti has distributed 5,000 leaflets in the Golden Corridor region. Prajapati opined that the government machinery would start functioning only if the local residents raised their voice. According to him, an estimated 60 per cent of people near the industrial units suffer from ailments like cough and cold all year. He added that incidences of people suffering from kidney stones were also on the rise.

Rajnibhai Dave, Trupti Shah and Ramkailash Saroj also felt the need for the Government to set up medical check-ups and treatment in the pollution-affected areas. A demand was also made to give free treatment to workers of these industries as well as setting up of ESI hospitals with well-equipped occupational health experts and doctors for the treatment.

A mention was also made to give assistance for livelihood to the affected fishing community near places where effluent is discharged into the sea. The same demand has been made for farmers whose lands have been polluted.

The PSS has also demanded that a survey be carried out on the effects of pollution on agriculture, based on which farmers should be compensated.

Among the organisation’s other demands are the need to have health and safety audits by independent bodies in hazardous industries, action against defaulters and permanent injunction against any further expansion of the existing industrial units or addition of any new industrial units in these areas.

A copy of the letter has also been sent to the State Environment Minister.

The members urged the masses to write to the State Government asking for a ban on plastics. This, the members, said was necessary as it was difficult to dispose of plastic properly from the environmental point of view.