[Reader-list] Reg: Another achievement of Gujarat - No.1 in pollution

[Rakesh Iyer]

Hi

An article, specially for those who keep singing paeans about Narendra Modi
and his administration on this forum, without trying to see the other way.

Rakesh

Link:
http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/mar/22/gujarat-most-polluted-state-in-india.htm

Article:

Gujarat most polluted state in India, Maharashtra 2ndThe Central Pollution
Control Board has declared Gujarat as the most polluted state in India [
Images <http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=india> ]. The
conclusion has been based on the increasing levels of pollution and toxic
wastes.

There are seven states in the country that account for 80 per cent of the
total hazardous wastes and among these Gujarat tops the list, followed by
Maharashtra [ Images<http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=maharashtra>]
and Andhra Pradesh.

Even after being declared as the most polluted state, the Gujarat government
has not taken any necessary measures to prevent the problem aggravating
further, environmental activists say.

Criticising the state government for not taking any adequate remedial
measures to tackle this problem, Mahesh Pandya, director of an NGO named
Paryavaran Mitra (Friends of Environment), held the authorities and
industrialists responsible for such an alarming polluted environment.

"There are six toxic waste sites in Vapi, two in Ankleshwar, one in Vadodara
and one in Valadgaon. Even the government of Gujarat has recognised these
waste sites. But till today the government has not mentioned anything to
clear up these waste sites. So who are responsible ultimately," said Pandya.

"If we pursue the (Gujarat) state government, they ask the association of
industries to clear it up. These associations say it's not their
responsibility. Now the toxics are creating pollution and affecting the
masses," he added.

People residing near the industrial estates have developed health and
breathing related problems, the forum said. People have blamed the toxic
smoke and wastes discharged by the factories.

"Because of the air pollution, the village environment is getting affected.
Villagers have been here since ages but the industries were set up after a
long period of time. We face so much difficulty. We cannot leave food in
open or even the clothes outside for drying," said Kirit Patel, a resident
of Narol industrial area.

"We are even becoming prone to breathing and health problems. Pollution is
indeed a big problem," he added.

According to a recent report by the central government, Gujarat accounts for
29 per cent of the 6.2 million tonnes of hazardous waste, while it is 25 per
cent in Maharashtra.

Andhra Pradesh is rated next with 9 per cent in generation of hazardous
waste, followed by Rajasthan [
Images<http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=rajasthan>]
with 5 per cent and West Bengal [
Images <http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=west+bengal> ] and
Tamil Nadu reckoned at 4 per cent each.
Source: ANI