Has Chanda pollution affected wild animals' behaviour?

The Times of ndia , Friday, July 12, 2013
Correspondent : Mazhar Ali
CHANDRAPUR: Chandrapur stands second among most polluted places in the country. The health survey carried out way back in 2005-06 over the effect of pollution has revealed that nearly 50% Chandrapurians suffer from one or other kind of respiratory disease.

While the hazardous industrial pollution has adversely affected humans, then how bad are the sufferings of wildlife that lives in the forest which is in close vicinity to the industrial area? Is increased aggressiveness and abnormal behaviour of bigger carnivores leading to man-animal conflict in the peripheral villages of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) the result of adverse effect of neurotoxic pollutants added to air and water of pristine tiger habitat?

These are the questions, environmentalist and wildlife activist, Suresh Chopne has voiced with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and forest department. Chopne, who is president of NGO Green Planet Society, has forwarded a letter to NTCA member secretary, Rajesh Gopal, along with chief wildlife warden, TATR field director and other forest officials voicing his concerns over the effect of pollution on wildlife. He demanded a detailed survey on impact of high pollution on wildlife in TATR and forests in vicinity of Chandrapur city.

"We are well aware of the adverse effect of high pollution from Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) and other industries in the MIDCs. Government has declared moratorium on new industries in four industrial clusters in Chandrapur to control the deadly effect of pollution on human habitations. But, nobody appears to be concerned about effect of this pollution on the rich wildlife that resides in TATR and its buffer," said Chopne.

He claimed that CSTPS discharges fly ash and toxic gases comprising carbon dioxide, mercury, SOX, NOX, and other heavy metals in the air. There are highly polluting industries located in Tadali MIDC further adding to air pollution. These industries are located in west and south-west direction of the tiger reserve. The wind blows for over six months in a year from the same direction towards the TATR carrying toxic pollutants to the pristine tiger habitat. The pollution that has proved hazardous to citizens in Chandrapur, puts the rich wildlife in the reserve and its buffer at equal risk, he said.

Chopne claimed that fly ash emitting from thermal power plants is particularly hazardous. It carries mercury and heavy metals, which are neurotoxins and have carcinogenic the impact on the body. He speculated that rising aggressiveness of carnivores in buffer area of TATR that has escalated man-animal conflict could be the result of harmful effect of neurotoxins on the wildlife.

"Studies carried out by institutions like Atmospheric Pollution Research and Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment have proved that wild animals too are prone to the pollution. Hence it is necessary to study and analyse the harmful effect of pollution on the wildlife," he demanded.

Chopne held that forest department has chalked out eco-sensitive zone around TATR and forwarded a proposal to union government for approval. The provisions under Wildlife Protection Act and guidelines for conservation and protection of tigers and wildlife in tiger reserve and protected areas seek true safety of the wild animals. Hence there is a need for protecting the wildlife from hazardous effect of pollution, he said.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Has-Chanda-pollution-affected-wild-animals-behaviour/articleshow/21026625.cms
 


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