Soil, groundwater and surface water in Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat & Fatehpur have been found to contain heavy metals much above permissible limits.
About the National Green Tribunal (NGT)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to ensure the effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and the conservation of forests and other natural resources.
Role of NGT in the Kanpur Heavy Metal Contamination Case
- Immediate Actions
- Initiate Suo Motu Proceedings: NGT can take cognizance of the case based on media reports or public interest litigations (PILs).
- Direct Pollution Control Measures: Order Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to inspect and identify violators, especially the tanneries and chemical industries.
- Remediation Orders
- Mandate the installation or upgrade of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs).
- Ensure strict compliance with zero-liquid discharge norms for industries.
- Compensation for Affected Residents
- Impose Environmental Compensation on polluting industries under the “Polluter Pays Principle.”
- Ensure medical relief and financial aid to residents suffering from chromium and mercury poisoning.
- Public Awareness and Participation
- Instruct government agencies to engage communities in identifying contamination hotspots and mitigation strategies.
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More about the news
- Kanpur, a significant industrial hub in Uttar Pradesh, faces a severe environmental and public health crisis due to heavy metal contamination.
Key Findings of the Report
- Heavy Metal Contamination
- Chromium and Mercury Levels: The report indicates that both metals have entered the ecosystem and human bodies, leading to bioaccumulation.
- Sources: Effluents from leather tanneries, electroplating units, and chemical plants are major contributors.
- Health Emergency
- Chromium exposure is linked to respiratory disorders, skin diseases, and potential carcinogenic effects.
- Mercury, a neurotoxin, can cause neurological impairments, kidney damage, and developmental issues in children.
- Environmental Impact
- Groundwater contamination has rendered it unsafe for drinking.
- Soil toxicity has affected agriculture, further perpetuating food chain contamination.
- Affected Areas
- The contamination has spread beyond Kanpur to surrounding districts, suggesting inadequate containment and monitoring.
Challenges
- Weak Enforcement of Environmental Laws
- Industrial norms under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Hazardous Waste Management Rules are poorly implemented.
- Lack of Robust Infrastructure
- Insufficient Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). Many tanneries bypass these facilities.
- Public Health Neglect
- Limited healthcare access and no large-scale screening for heavy metal poisoning.
- Lower awareness and citizen participation
- Data Gaps
- Lack of continuous monitoring and public data on contamination levels and health outcomes.
- Example: Inclusion-Exclusion errors.
Incidents of Metal Contamination at global level:
- Sandoz Chemical Spill
- Hinckley Water Contamination
- Minamata Wastewater pollution
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Root Causes of the Crisis
- Lax Regulatory Oversight:
- Insufficient monitoring by the Pollution Control Boards has allowed industrial units to bypass waste treatment norms.
- Inadequate Infrastructure:
- Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are either non-functional or operating below capacity.
- Lack of Awareness and Accountability:
- Residents remain unaware of the long-term impacts, while industries evade responsibility.
Current Status and Government Response
- NGT Intervention: The National Green Tribunal has previously issued strict orders to curb pollution in Kanpur but with limited on-ground impact.
- Clean Ganga Mission: Efforts under the Namami Gange program aim to reduce industrial discharge into the Ganga, but enforcement gaps persist.
Recommendations to Address the Crisis
- Immediate Steps:
- Health Interventions: Conduct health screenings and provide medical support to affected populations.
- Example– Usage of Telemedicine
- Water Safety Measures: Ensure access to clean drinking water through alternative sources like tankers or filtration units.
- Mid- to Long-term Solutions:
- Strict Enforcement: Penalize industries violating waste discharge norms and mandate functional ETPs.
- Remediation of Contaminated Sites: Employ bioremediation techniques and other sustainable methods to restore soil and water quality.
- Monitoring and Surveillance: Install continuous monitoring systems in industrial clusters to track effluent discharge.
- Community Awareness:
- Educate residents on safe water use and advocate for their participation in pollution control measures.
- Example– Indore case study under Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan
- Proactively commit to fulfilling International Frameworks and Agreements like
- Minamata Convention on Mercury
- Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes
- Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals
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Conclusion
- The crisis in Kanpur underscores the urgent need for a coordinated approach involving regulatory bodies, industries, and communities to mitigate the catastrophic health and environmental impacts.
- Robust enforcement of pollution norms, coupled with effective remediation strategies, is essential to prevent similar emergencies in the future.
- In the quest for environmental safety vs economic development, our responsibility is to march towards sustainable development and a trusteeship model of growth.
14 Dec 2024
