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AN NGO FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, PROTECTION AND
SECURITYContact at:
0512-2402986/2405229 Mob: 9415129482
Website: www.ecofriends.org
e-mail : [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Environmental Improvement Programme For The Children of Pollution Affected Jajmau and Noraiakheda Areas of Kanpur
Two most polluted sites of Kanpur
Jajmau:
Kanpur has a predominance of leather industry. Some 380 odd leather units are located in Jajmau area, right on the bank of river Ganga. These units, which use many toxic chemicals, are the single largest contributor to the pollution of the surface as well as groundwater of Jajmau area in Kanpur.
Highly toxic irrigation water (Sewage mixed with tannery effluent)
This wastewater is being used for irrigating 2500 hectares of farmland. This water is highly toxic and has been reported
to be laced with heavy metals like chromium, arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium and other
toxicants.
Huge piles of toxic tannery sludge lying in an unsafe way. The hazardous waste is being dumped indiscriminately along the only road leading to the
villages. This has resulted into pollution of the local environment and contamination of the groundwater.
Illegal glue factories add to the air pollution
Noraiakheda:
Noraiakheda is located in the industrial area of the city. The area assumes significance on account of location of chemical factories and its dense population, dominated by poor and landless people who are most vulnerable to health risks. Noraiakheda has been used for years as waste disposal site by the Basic Chrome Sulphate (BCS) manufacturing units, which supply BCS to chrome tanning units of leather industry. This has lead to contamination of groundwater of Noraiakheda with Chromium, which is a known carcinogen. The residents (approximately 10,000) of the area are forced to drink this contaminated water, which has been found to be highly unsafe in the absence of any alternative provision.
Raw effluent flowing in a drain just opposite
Noraiakheda area.
Hazardous industrial waste dump site which is at a distance of apprx. 500
meters from Noraiakheda area.
Unhygienic conditions prevailing in Noraiakheda area
Chromium laced yellow green water coming out of a hand pump in Noraiakheda.
People afflicted with various skin problems
Kids afflicted with various skin problems
Villagers with various kinds of skin problems (rashes, boils, papules, vesicles, eczema, ring worm, white spot, blisters, decay of nails, advance stages of leprosy, numbness of limbs).
Eco-Friends Campaigns
Survey and rapid assessment
Letters to authorities at various levels
Water quality tests
Meetings
Protests and rallies
Village to village campaigns
Workshops and public hearings
Education and awareness programs
Meetings
Village meetings
Public meetings and rallies
Protests and rallies
Protests and rallies
Public hearings
Education and awareness programs for kids
Education and awareness programs
Education and awareness programs
“Sewage irrigation water is toxic” – written by kids on irrigation channel
Before & After intervention
Two deep tube wells have been setup to
supply safe drinking water to 14 pollution
affected villages
Total cleanliness campaign launched by the District Cleanliness
Committee
Accomplishments
• Multi-stakeholder Consultative Action Group• Judicial intervention• Chrome Recovery Plants setup in 88 Chrome tanning leather
units of Kanpur• Common Chrome Recovery Plant for 110 small units under
progress• Scientific Landfill site for safe disposal of tannery sludge under
progress • Two deep tube wells for safe drinking water to 14 villages • Roads were constructed and villages were electrified • Occasional health check up camps • Ground water remediation project in Noraiakheda in progress• Villagers now politically more active
Multi stakeholder Consultative Action Group meetings
In response to Eco-Friends’ Writ Petition,
Supreme Court Monitoring Committee on hazardous waste
visited Kanpur
MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Challenges
Unfinished Agenda:
• Safe irrigation and drinking water• Safe disposal of industrial waste• Hygienic conditions • Safe and healthy environment
Constraints:
• Lack of resources• Lax implementation of environmental laws• Callous industries• Slow progress in implementing the projects• No epidemiological studies done in the area• Lack of affordable health facilities• Difficult to establish health impacts due to environmental risks exposure
We’ll not stop
We’ll keep marching towards
A healthy and safe environment for children
Thank you very muchRAKESH K. JAISWAL
