Spread over 1000 kanals of land, nine cement factories are operational in Khrew and Khanmoh of Pulwama district. These factories are emitting one lakh kilograms of toxic fumes per day thereby wrapping the neighbourhood villages in a toxic grey shroud. Polluted air hasbecome a source of spreading various types of respiratory ailments among the 20,000 people, old and young, in the area. Pollution is posing danger to the survival of flora and fauna and human lives.Medical Officer at Primary Health Centre Khanmoh, Dr Aijaz Ahamd is shocked to see the frequency of patients with respiratory tract ailments in these areas. “I have served at Chest and Disease Hospital Srinagar for ten years but was shocked to see the number of people with respiratory tract infections here”, he added. Acute Allergy Bronchitis, skin infections like Dermatitis, Eczema and rashes are common among the people. They also suffer from furunculosis and conjunctivitis.
How come that the Pollution Control Board is not taking notice of this gross violation of ecological rules that endanger life and flora and fauna of the area? Can there be anything more distressing for the villagers than polluting contaminated air and water day in and day out.
The cement factories are violating the Forest Act 1990 by operating under dense forest cover and flaunt the forestation rules by not planting enough trees. They are shying away from their corporate social responsibility. Bad air particulate matter is major pollutant in these areas. It includes concentrations of fine dust, soot and aerosol particles less than 10 microns in diameter (known as PM 10).The world environmental experts stipulate that any reading above 40 micrograms is unsafe. But Jammu and Kashmir allows 100. In last six months, the average PM 10 level was 80, according to the pollution control. We take a strong notice of negligence of the State Pollution Control Board in controlling pollution caused so vehemently in the Pulwama villages. How come that the Board has not conducted intermittent inspections and taken note of the emission of polluted particles thus allowing the health of the people to be endangered. This is a case in which the officials of the Pollution Control Board should be squarely held responsible and accountable.
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