Sheeja Moodubelle
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jun 2: Udyavar gram panchayat members organized a press meet at the press club on the issue of license less fish mills causing water, air and sound pollution.
The fish mills which are running without a valid licence from the past few years are posing problems to the local people of Udyavar. The river water and the whole environment is polluted due to their operation. The village panchayat with the help of police officials on August 23, 2010 decided to close the fish mills. A notice was being served to the owners of Hindustan Fish Mills, but on November 24, 2010 taluk panchayat issued stay orders.
Udyavar is being polluted by the toxic and chemical effluents released from these fish mills. The effluents from the mills are released into the rivers from past few years which have lead to a foul smell in the region. This has made the life miserable for nearly 200 residents in the locality. The smoke let from the chimney of the fish mills has led to environment pollution, complained the locals. On Jan 21, 2011 another complaint was registered to the health department on the same issue and officials gave report on water and air pollution. A report was also put forward regarding the children facing skin allergy and wheezing problem, but no action is taken.
The state High Court ordered the local panchayats to issue showcause notice to fish mills operating illegally in Udyavar on Oct 20, 2011. It is said that Hindustan, Yashaswini and Unity Fish Mills, here, are operating illegally by violating environment department. But the fish mills gained stay orders from the High Court after filing a petition and continued their operation.
It is alleged that the taluk panchayath and zilla panchayath have not taken the issue seriously, while the local administration is not bothered to look into their problems. The support rendered by some local municipal councilors has made the fish mill owners fearless, said Gracy Machado, panchayat president.
The fish mills have no enough space to operate, no proper pipe line system, no smoke control systems and also no NOC, complained the members.
Bhaskar Kotian, Mohan Salian, Umesh and Sundar were present during the occasion.