Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

Checking pollution before it starts

By K. Satyamurty

Bangalore Dec. 20. Something unusual happened a few months ago. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) shut down an industry in the Doddaballapur Industrial Area, close to Bangalore. The company was clandestinely dumping its toxic waste into the local watershed area.

Pressure from local residents mounted, and the KSPCB had to order closure of the plant.

Things are not much better in and around the city. While the economy is booming, industrial growth has come at a price, according to a study made by Jessica Rowland, a researcher at the Centre for Environment Education here.

The large and smaller industries are production focused and hesitate when it comes to environmental regulation. Small-scale industries, which employ 65 per cent of the labour force and contribute 40 per cent to the GDP, have not always been careful about their environment. J. Crasta of the Karnataka Small-scale Industries Association (most of whose member units are in Bangalore) says the situation "is not good". Small units contribute to an estimated 60 per cent of industrial pollution. They face frequent power interruptions and their infrastructure is often poorly maintained, according to studies on this sector.

One of the biggest challenges faced by small-scale industries is how exactly to clean up their act. Imported pollution control technologies only apply to large industries. Competition has led small industries to be wary of any additional costs like complying with environmental regulations.

However, new developments may improve the situation. Karnataka was one of the first to come up with a comprehensive industrial policy and is home to the first regional Cleaner Production Centre.

In contrast to pollution control, cleaner production aims to prevent the problem before it starts. It is a planning tool for industries to begin as a clean producer.

Now, there are more incentives for industries to prevent pollution before it starts.

The Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) functions under the KSPCB.

It provides training and consultancy on environment issues to industries.

The focus is on training, for industry representatives, KSPCB officials, NGOs, representative from municipal bodies, hospital administrators, and public sector employees.

The EMPRI conducts courses and week-long seminars, the second for policy-makers.

Participating companies themselves often find solutions to problems such as waste management.

"Ultimately, we would like to help the industry to develop their own systems," says EMPRI Director, M.H. Swaminath.

Many of Bangalore's "breathing problems" (incidence of asthma and bronchitis increasing among children and adults) will go if more industries prevent pollution.

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