Cases of industrial waste being dumped on farmlands are increasing each day in Ahmedabad district, especially in Bavla taluka. This situation becomes dangerous when the waste catches fire releasing toxic smoke into the air. Most of these incidents involve private farmlands.
In the latest incident that has come to light, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has slapped a fine of Rs1.8 crores on a private farmland in Bagodara, owned by one Mahesh Makwana, for dumping tons of toxic waste. Charging the farmland with a penalty for environmental remedial action on June 14, the board has also issued a notice of closure for the entity. The farmland came under the radar on March 22, when the waste caught fire and a thick cloud of toxic smoke rose into the sky. The smoke was so huge that it was visible from 5 kilometers away. The notice issued also says that the entity has violated 2016 rules of hazardous waste and other waste (management) and transboundary movement.
Furthermore, GPCB, in April, also found mismanagement of waste when they inspected a company’s plant in Rohika village of the taluka. The company manufactures wind turbine generator blades and steel towers. The toxic waste had caught fire. As such the board has issued a closure notice as well as asked Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL) to cut electricity to the company.
These incidents follow the case in Rasam village in Bavla taluka, which was discovered in July last year. It was found that 70 200-litre drums of effluent and around a tonne of toxic sludge had been dumped at the spot. The chemical discharge was released in an agricultural lake, posing serious risks to habitat in the area. After almost a year-long regulatory battle, remedial work on the land began last week. Now, gradually, the toxic waste here will be removed and the area will be cleaned.
