The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Call to combat pollution on war footing

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Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Call to combat pollution on war footing

Staff Reporter

KARUR: Members from a cross section of the society, including lawyers, scientists and representatives of voluntary organisations, besides people affected by various types of pollution, have given a clarion call to stay united and combat pollution effectively in Karur district that has a lot of industrial interests.

During the deliberations organised by the Tamil Nadu Environmental Council, Environmental Lawyers’ Forum and Environmental Scientists’ Forum and hosted by the Psycho Trust here on Saturday, speakers voiced concern over the rapid degradation of ecology in Karur district, courtesy increasing air and water pollution.

Active participation

Speakers also called for more active participation of trained and qualified physicians in lending their voice for environmental issues, as that would give a stamp of authority while discussing health-related aspects. Speakers came down heavily on air and water pollution by public and private sector industries in Karur district, illegal sand mining that has been going on unabated, shrinking green cover (2.74 per cent that is much lower than even the State average), besides expressing concern over the increasing extent of land that is turning waste or degradable.

Cauvery choked

They pointed out that the Cauvery was choked by weeds that was a result of possible excessive use of chemical fertilisers, and called upon the government to promote use of organic farming methods.

Pointing out that the thriving dyeing and bleaching industry in Karur district has already spoiled the Amaravathy and many other water sources, the meeting called for “conscious action” on the part of the authorities. Similarly, the meeting in which the pollution-affected people also took part, called for urgent and strong measures to stop pollution of the Noyyal and action against the polluters.

Areas, including the once-fertile banks of the rivers Amaravathy, Noyyal, Cauvery, as also regions such as Puliyur, Kagithapuram have been reeling under intense pollution and a permanent solution had to be found for saving those lush regions, the speakers at the meeting said.

Ban sand mining

Sand mining was going on uninhibited in all the riverbanks in the district and to prevent further damage to river systems a blanket ban on sand mining should be ordered for the next five years.

Those who participated in the deliberations included State organiser of the Tamil Nadu Rivers Protection Federation Annadurai, former Karur MLAs T.N. Sivasubramanian and A.R. Malaiyappasamy, State organiser of the Tamil Nadu Environment Council, Cauvery activist P.R. Kuppusamy, Coordinator of the SWATE Womens’ Organisation Christina Samy, Noyyal River and Channel Aycutdars Association president P. Ramasamy, River Noyyal Aycutdars Association’s Ganesan, and advocates, trade union activists, and social activists. Office-bearers from around 15 voluntary organisations took part in the meeting.

Director of Psycho Trust J. Christu Raj proposed a vote of thanks.

Similar meeting have been planned in 10 districts of the State.

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