Accusing the Krebs Biochemicals and Industries Limited (Krebs) located in Kasimkota mandal of violating statutory environmental laws and regulations, the Human Rights Forum (HRF) has demanded that the eco-clearnace issued to the company be rescinded with immediate effect.
A three-member team of HRF visited the area on Sunday and interacted with the residents from the villages of Gantavanipalem in Munagapaka mandal, Perantalapalem and Tegada, both in Kasimkota mandal.
The team alleged that the Krebs was discharging toxic effluents into the local water bodies and the residents of several villages in the vicinity of the factory were suffering from various ailments.
Pollution fallout
“The residents told us that despite their repeated appeals, the company had been releasing toxic effluents into the water bodies since many years. The fallout of this malpractice is evident as residents in the three villages close to the factory have been suffering from air pollution, extreme stench and health issues. Thyroid and orthopaedic ailments and skin rashes have become a common occurrence in this area. This is a clear non-compliance with the environmental norms,” V.S. Krishna of HRF told The Hindu .
Residents of Gantavanipalem alleged that the groundwater in the area has been contaminated.
“The groundwater here is unfit for consumption. The borewells are yielding coloured water which the residents are using only for washing clothes. They are trekking several kilometres for fetching drinking water. Many cattle have also died from the exposure to pollutants. The villagers also claimed that the industry had released effluents into the Sarada River, a major water source for the area,” Mr. Krishna said.
According to the villagers, Krishna said, they had submitted representations on these issues to monitoring authorities such as Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) and regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), but all fell on deaf ears.
Stringent action sought
“It is time action stringent actions were initiated against the company. The district administration must make arrangements for supply of clean water to the residents and organise health camps, HRF State general secretary K. Sudha said.
