NAGPUR: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court has issued notices on a PIL to ministry of environment, forests & climate change, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and others against illegal dumping of spent acid by industries in Chornala near Butibori causing death of livestock, crop damage and turning well water acidic, besides becoming a health hazard.
The PIL has been filed by an affected farmer Ganesh Bodkhe of Sneh Nagar, Wardha Road, through his counsellor MP Kariya. Admitting the petition last Wednesday, a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice VM Deshpande issued notices to the respondents that included state government, SP (Rural), police department and MIDC. The court has asked to file replies by December 6.
On July 25, TOI had reported the matter. The petitioner alleged that for the last four years, chemical companies in Butibori MIDC are dumping acid in the nullah that flows into Vena dam, 5km away from the spot. The dam is a major source of water for irrigation, drinking and industries. Due to dumping of acid, the ground and nullah water is polluted. Even crops get burnt if nullah water is used for irrigation. The fertility of farm land had decreased.
The acid dumping is playing havoc with cattle, crop and people's health. Harried farmers, who earlier did not sense much, formally launched a complaint with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on June 27, after cattle started dying and crop started getting damaged.
The villagers also filed a complaint with Hingna police on June 26 but even five months later no offence has been registered against unidentified culprits. No action has been taken and the petitioner had to finally knock court's door. MPCB, after a site visit, admitted that acid was being dumped by units in Butibori and Hingna. It recommended stringent action and approval for forfeiture of bank guarantees of all spent acid generating units.
