Early Times Report
Jammu, July 25: The Pollution Control Board has claimed that all forms of pollution emerging out of the industrial wastes were being monitored in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.
District Samba is also one of the industry hubs in the Union Territory.
As there were reports that due to the release of hazardous waste from the chemical factories, the fertile land is getting barren vis-à-vis people who are suffering from various diseases, the Pollution Control Board, in view of some complaints, have started monitoring the factories.
As per locals, the pesticides, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cement manufacturing units operating in the industrial area of Samba are allegedly making acres of fertile land barren in the surrounding belts.
However, the local residents have also claimed that diseases related to eyes, respiratory, and skin are swelling in the district due to pollution.
Deputy Commissioner Samba, Anuradha Gupta when contacted, told, “we have reviewed the meeting of the District Environment Plan and all guidelines of NGT are being taken care of.” “Plantation drive, installation of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP) by units and other necessary concerns were discussed threadbare,” revealed the Deputy Commissioner.
Sharing details on the pollution scenario, Divisional Officer, South (Samba), Pollution Control Board, Angrez Singh told, “the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT) are being religiously followed and the pollution control devices are also installed at various locations.”
“Instructions are issued to the factories from time to time to follow the standards and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) is being installed to check the pollution level of contaminated water, which will address the grievance in coming days,” said the officer. “Any pollution related complaint can be lodged with the department and action will be initiated accordingly,” he said.
Mr Singh asserted that to monitor air pollution level, devices are installed whereas small units, releasing contaminated water, are directed to use it in their lawns, gardens. “Pollution does exist but not in the Red Zone except for a few units which are under monitoring,” said the officer asserting that most of the factories are under the Orange Zone.
On units established in SIDCO Samba, the officer said that there are four cement manufacturing factories, 20 are of pesticides and 10 are chemical units.
Meanwhile, sources in the administration said that taking cognizance of the growing environmental hazard and pollution of water sources in Samba, the NGT had also directed the Samba Municipal Council and SIDCO to take all measures to protect the environment by imposing fines.
“Despite this, many factories in Samba, including pesticides, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cement, are not complying with pollution control standards,” they said. |
