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Environmentalists to keep watch on pollution

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: An environmental sentinel group will now keep a close watch on the pollution of natural resources in Ernakulam district.

PCB initiative

The group has been introduced by the State Pollution Control Board based on a recommendation made by the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on Hazardous Wastes. Members of the group will act as wardens for environmental surveillance. They will take note of the illegal dumping of hazardous wastes by industrial units.

The new initiative came after the a High Power Committee (HPC) constituted by the Supreme Court suggested that members of alert and informed community who are fully aware of the nature of hazards and its impact on their health can help in protecting and saving the natural resources.

It also referred to a law enacted in the U.S. in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, namely, Emergency Planning and Community Right to Act, 1986, which requires preparation of emergency response plans by the companies with involvement of the local community

Access to public records with the environment protection authorities should be freely allowed to the public, as the right to a healthy environment has been defined as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Relevant information should be displayed on notice boards and newspapers and communicated through radio, television and the internet.

The first meeting of the environment sentinel group was held here on Tuesday. P.K. Raveendran, former Deputy Director of Department of Collegiate Education, is the chairman of the group.

K.K. Abdurahman, Chief Environmental Engineer, Regional Office of the State Pollution Control Board, is the convener.

Public can inform the group about incidents of pollution found in their areas.

Contact Phone numbers: Chairman - 2492034, 9447024920; convener - 2207782, 9447165752.

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