Even as Edayar industrial belt is reeling under pollution problems, there is a move to relocate some of the polluting plywood units to the industrial area. A few of the plywood units functioning at Perumbavoor are being considered for shifting to Edayar.
Some of the industrial units established at the Edayar industrial development area have been closed over the years due to various reasons. Certain units among them are beyond revival and the government may take over the space allotted to the original unit. The vacant spaces would be utilised for relocating the plywood units, sources at the estate said.
Perumbavoor has wood-based industrial clusters, with the majority manufacturing plywood.
The plywood industry has been growing in thickly populated areas such as Thaikkarachira, Koikkathode, Poonelippadi, Pulluvazhy, Malamuri, Vattakkattupadi, Iringol, Peechanamukal, Rayamangalam, Parambipeedika, Keezhillam and Panikkarambalam. Though the manufacturers claim that the units conform to the standards set by authorities, environmental activists dispute the claim. Long-drawn agitations have been witnessed in the villages where people accuse the plywood manufacturing companies of letting out effluents into the fields and rivulets which form the drinking water source of the residents.
Activists under the banner of Action Council for Environmental Protection had taken up protests including rallies and hunger strike and the district authorities had promised to sort out the issue. One of the affected residents in Vengola panchayat had approached court and a Central Empowered Committee appointed by Supreme Court had submitted a report.
The CEC had found that out of the 277 units operating in Vengola panchayat, 179 were functioning without valid consent from the Kerala Pollution Control Board; 121 were not registered under The Indian Boilers Act, and under the Factories Act; 180 did not obtain permission from the Fire and Safety departments. The case has been referred to the High Court.
While it would be prudent to shift polluting units from residential areas to industrial estates, the relocation to an industrial area which is already burdened by pollution would only help make matters worse, industry sources said. Unless the plan for setting up a common effluent treatment plant materialised, the effort would ultimately boomerang, the owner of an industrial unit at Edayar said.
