The Uttarakhand government has initiated a massive crackdown on illegal pollution activities, closing five sugarcane crushers in Haridwar after they were caught burning plastic, rubber tyres and other dangerous substances as fuel. This move, implemented by a combined effort of the administration, pollution control board, food safety department and the office of sugar commissioner, is taken in the wake of increasing complaints by local inhabitants of poisonous emissions and deteriorating environment by these units.
The Tehsildar, Vikas Awasthi headed the operation, where he and his colleagues inspected various crushers in the Ladhora and Libberheidi regions. The officials found during the raid that a few of the units were openly burning their furnaces with plastic waste, old clothes and tyres to crush sugarcane. This form of practice emits unhealthy gases and chemicals into the air, which is life-threatening to the communities around the area and pollutes the environment. The team, with action, closed four crushers in Ladhora and one in Libberheidi, besides causing severe action against two plots in which large amounts of waste material were stored to be burnt.
Besides sealing the crushers, food safety authorities took samples of jaggery that was prepared at these plants. It is feared that the product might be contaminated by the use of toxic fuels, and this could pose food safety risks to the consumers. The authorities have stated that the samples will be subjected to laboratory testing to verify the presence of harmful residues and adherence to the health standards. The closing of these units does not simply represent a stride to environmental protection but also a step towards the protection of the population from unhealthy food practices.
The crackdown came after an unending series of complaints on the part of the local representatives and the municipal council authorities, who had reported to the district administration regarding the dangerous activities. An increasing smoke, foul odour and health problems were a concern amongst residents, leading to high officials ordering immediate enforcement action. The district administration has now clarified that such operations are going to continue, and any unit that is found to be violating pollution norms will be closed without any second thoughts.
The closure of the crushers is a powerful signal within Uttarakhand that negative treatment of the environment will not be tolerated. Although this action may shake the sugarcane processing of the local farmers, the authorities emphasize that sustainable and safe standards should be implemented for the greater good. The move by the state government is an indication that the government is aimed at harmonizing economic operations and the environment, and that the industrial operations shall not be at the expense of the health and ecological condition of the people. Such a move should serve as a deterrent to other operators and the opening of the way towards tighter compliance with pollution control standards in the area.
