Two environment action groups - Nalagarh-based Him Parivesh and the Him Dhara Environment Research & Action Collective - will organise a “public hearing” on the worsening industrial pollution in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt in Kaduwana village on Saturday.
Him Parivesh general secretary BK Sharma said the event would be an open platform where those affected by environmental pollution and mining activities in the industrial belt would be asked to submit written as well as oral complaints to a panel of experts. The panelists will include retired Supreme Court judge Kuldip Singh, environmental expert and founder of Hazards Centre Dunu Roy, Dr Rajesh Kumar from PGI, Chandigarh and journalist Rakesh Lohumi.
“Water and atmospheric pollution, fly ash and dumping of solid waste are the key problems which residents of 21 panchayats and 115 villages have been facing for the past couple of years.
Besides, seven streams flowing into the Sarsa river, a tributary of the Sutlej, have been badly polluted. The Central Pollution Control Board has already classified this area as ‘critically polluted’”, Sharma said
“Several bridges have been damaged as a result of rampant and illegal mining. Stone crushers have added to the pollution,” he added.
Based on the testimonies recorded at the public hearing, the panel will prepare a report based on their observations. “We have extended invites to officials of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board and the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority to attend the hearing,” Sharma stated.
“Several bridges have been damaged as a result of rampant and illegal mining. Stone crushers have added to the pollution,” he added.
Based on the testimonies recorded at the public hearing, the panel will prepare a report based on their observations. “We have extended invites to officials of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board and the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority to attend the hearing,” Sharma stated.
The forms for written submissions to the panel will be available at the venue.