Shimla, 4th July 2014
On 4th July 2014, representatives of pollution impacted communities from BBN Industrial cluster along with environmental groups Himparivesh and Himdhara conducted a meeting with the State Pollution Control Board Chairman Shri Kuldeep Pathania. Member Secretary Vineet Kumar along with Scientific and law officers of the HP PCB were also present at the meeting.
Members of Himparivesh and Himdhara made a detailed presentation on the major issues that emerged during the public hearing held recently (5th April 2014) at Baddi where local people gave testimonies in front of an independent panel.
The key issues raised during the presentation included severe air pollution, contamination of surface and ground water, indiscriminate dumping of hazardous waste, unregulated river bed mining, and their impacts. The groups through visuals and secondary data in the form of fact sheets on severely polluting units illustrated these problems. In the presentation, the groups also highlighted the shortcomings of the Pollution Control board and gave recommendations for a stricter monitoring and regulatory mechanism. The local delegation present also made submissions with respect to specific units and unabated air, water and noise pollution they continue to generate in BBN Industrial cluster. The delegation also called for an urgent need to regulate and monitor industrial pollution and strictly adhere to environmental norms, and take quick action against severely polluting industrial units.
The meeting ended on a positive note and the Chairman PCB and Member Secretary assured that the issue of industrial pollution in BBN will be collectively addressed, and problems discussed in today’s meeting would be put forth the Board of Directors. He also assured that a follow up meeting would be held within a period of three months, and promised that communities or individuals affected by industrial pollution can personally approach him, and all efforts would be made to resolve their grievances effectively. Members of Himdhara and Himparivesh also submitted the report of the Public hearing and a detailed fact sheet of severely polluting units.
For more details contact
Rahul Saxena, Himdhara, 9816025246
Balkrishna Sharma, Himparivesh, 9459028044
