Sainath Industries of Nagar Haveli. Fumigates the villages with toxic emissions
Report
of the Fact Finding Visit to Kala Village on 14 Aug 2005
We visited the Kala village of Dadra Nagar
Haveli on 14th of August 2004 and experienced the highly deplorable environmental conditions prevailing in the
area due to atmospheric pollution caused by M/s Sainath Industries. The Industry
started operating in this area about an year back. During our visit we
personally experienced the choking toxic fumes, which the residents of this area and the
hundreds of workers inside the factory are regularly being exposed to. It
was interesting to note that, the lone slim
chimney (although they are supposed to have 3 chimneys as per the information
board displayed outside) of the factory is apparently not functioning and the fumes are emanated
from all possible vents from within the company.
According to the villagers, the Sainath
Industry acquired land from a local villager about 10 years back and the pant
started operation around an year back. The company produces Aluminium, Brass,
Copper and Zinc alloys from imported scrap metal and employs a few hundred
workers in side the factory. About 200 women workers from the local villages
work in the raw material section, while the workers in the furnace are all
imported from elsewhere. The health of these workers is also under serious
threat from the heavy metal fumes and associated health effects. The exposure of
hazardous copper fumes is evident from reported sweet sensation in the mouth by
the several workers.
The company has blatantly flouted the provisions of the Hazardous waste (Management and Handling) rules of 1989. As per the rules two information boards (one in English and other in local language) is mandatory before such companies. The company authorities have made a mockery of these rules by touting an information board with no information regarding the consent status and Hazardous wastes handled in the facility. The only quantitative information on the display board is regarding the number of Chimneys. As per the board there are two 30 metre chimneys and one 9 metre Chimney. However, in fact there is only one chimney present.
Dr PR Arun
Environmental Justice Initiative (Mumbai)
