By: ML Verma
Solan: Thousand of fishes have again became victims of toxic industrial pollutants thrown into Sarsa river in the industrial BBN Baddi-Brotiwala and Nalagarh) area. State Pollution Control Board official Brij Bhushan told media persons that on complaint from people in Sabowala village, situated at the banks of Sarsa river near Baddi, water samples were obtained from the river yesterday and have been sent for chemical analysis. He also confirmed reports of dead fish having been spotted in the river.
“This is not the sole incident of fish dying in Sarsa river as it has became a regular sight due to dumping of chemical waste into the river by pharmaceutical firms,” a local lament. He said that villagers and Yuva Mandals have been drawing the attention of authorities for a long time but so far nobody has shown concern. He said cleaver pharmaceutical firms have been throwing down chemical waste during night hours. Despite heaving pollution treatment plants, the firms have been deliberately breaking pollution norms, he added.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the Union Ministry of Environment has placed the Baddi, Parwanoo and Kala Amb industrial townships among the second rung of 32 severely polluted industrial townships in the country. A report released on behalf of CPCB, project Baddi, Kala Amb and Parwanoo among severally polluted industrial areas recording pollution level of 69.07, 68.77 and 63.83, respectively on a scale of 100.
The extent of pollution is increasing at an alarming rate in industrial areas, especially in Baddi. The township houses as many as 3,500 industrial units along with 400 pharma units. The level of pollution often triggers agitation among the local people, and meek action on part of State Pollution Control Board is leading to further complications.
The slapping of fines and disconnection of water and power supply to errant units in the past too have been proving a futile exercise
