Aquatic life dies due to chemicals released by sugar factory

Karwar: Plenty of fishes died since Sunday in the Hullatti lake on Monday, 2 kilometres off Halliyal town allegedly due to sewage discharged by the near by GMR Sugar Industries established here in 2007-08.

It may be noted that the management of the sugar industry had agreed to equip the sugar industry with modern technology to avoid the any disturbance in the surrounding atmosphere; they also have claimed that the sewage discharged from the industry is scientifically treated. Unfortunately, these claims by the management of GMR industry turned false as the people of Halliyal town and the villages surrounding the mill are inhaling stench releasing from the industry especially during nights.

On Monday morning, people saw thousands of dead fishes which include fishes of the weight between 2kg and 3kg, of Rohu Boar fish and Catla. They get good price for the fishes in the market.

Many people after hearing this brought the fishes to their homes. Some of the local merchants transported as many as two truckloads of the fish to Hubli market. After all these developments, belatedly, the authorities of Halliyal Town panchayat made a public announcement not to consume these fish.

MLC SL Sunil Ghotnekar, Kakesha Makandar civic chief of Halliyal town and TP members along with the police visited the area. Halliyal MLA who visited the spot talking to the press reporter said that he had directed the mill authorities to send the discharge sample for a laboratory test and to take measures to correct the fault if any.

Mean while, representatives of the local bodies protested by stopping the vehicles going to the industry. They pointed out that the lotus plants and the grass on the areas where the chemicals were released from the mill joins the lake.

Mr. HM Thimmappa, the assistant director of fisheries department after visiting the spot said that the probable cause of the death of the fishes may be the lacke of oxygen in the lake and or due to the blockage of the sunlight to these fishes.

In this regard, Halliyal TP office has issued a notice to management of the industry to initiate the arrangement to conduct the scientific treatment of the sewages being discharged from the mill or face the legal action.

The management of MGR sugar industry has agreed to call a meeting of public representatives and the officials to discuss the meeting, said Anand Murugan, general manager.

It may be noted that they sugar industry brought about a number of rosy dreams not only to the farmers but also to the locals who anticipated the employment opportunities through the industry. However, while a section of farmers is happy with the management of the mill, for reasonable price they get from the industry. However, at the same time, there is yet another section of the farmer who is far from happy as they lost their land for the mill.

These land losers were calmed down with the false promises including for a member of each affected family, educational expenses for the children and health care benefits etc. According to them al most all the promises have been breached.

source: sahilonline