Case Study: Do industries treat the effluents in India?
Industrial responsibility around the world includes effluent treatment as it is an essential aspect. It pertains to handling wastewater from industries such that it fits into environmentally acceptable parameters and in no way impairs ecosystems and public health. In India, a country known for its burgeoning industrial sector, the question arises: Do industries treat their effluents? And if not, why? We’ll get into this significant question below by looking at a comprehensive case study and putting it in perspective.
The Case Study: Textile Industry in Tirupur
Tirupur in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is often referred to as the “Knitwear Capital of India”, with the textile industry there contributing a substantial amount to the Indian economy, employing thousands of people. However, this state has also encountered severe environmental issues due to its discharge of effluents.
The Problem:
Historically, textile units of Tirupur used to release untreated or inadequately treated effluents into the nearby water bodies, mainly into the Noyyal river. This sewage waste contained poisonous dyes, chemicals, weighty metals, pollutants and dangerously posed a threat to the environment and community’s health.
The Consequences:
Water Pollution: Untreated effluents turned the Noyyal River into a toxic concoction, impacting marine life and polluting groundwater sources.
Health Hazards: Effluent pollutants were associated with health issues amongst local population including skin problems and respiratory infections.
Agricultural Impact: Farmers living downstream from Tirupur were adversely affected because the polluted river water affected their crops and soil.
The Response:
In response to the escalating environmental crisis, regulatory authorities and environmental activists initiated several measures:
Legal Action: Eco groups and concerned locals lodged legal challenges against polluting textile industries, getting the courts to direct them to clean up immediately.
Establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs): CETPs are established for centralized effluent treatment from various units. The plants effectively dealt with the wastewater and made it environmental-compliant.
Strict Regulations: Effluent discharge regulations were imposed by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), with zero liquid discharge (ZLD) norms being made compulsory for the textile industry.
Awareness Campaigns: NGOs and Government agencies took the responsibility to spread awareness amongst industrialists & employees on the need for effluent treatment.
The Progress:
Over the years, the concerted efforts of the government, NGOs, and responsible industrialists have yielded positive results:
Improved Water Quality: The water quality in the Noyyal River and other water bodies has substantially improved.
Health Benefits: Local people have also experienced better health outcomes due to reduced air pollution.
Sustainable Practices: Textile units have also taken sustainable measures, such as recycling and utilising water for other purposes, to minimise their ecological impact.
The Broader Context
Tirupur case study is a reflection of effluent treatment scenario at large in India. Further, you can refer to the ‘Chemical Contamination’ part of this story, which discusses effluent discharge from textile industries in India and its impact on rivers. While some industries have made efforts to treat their effluents responsibly, many still fall short due to various reasons:
Lack of Awareness: In some cases certain industries might not even be aware that disposing of their raw effluent is having a detrimental effect on the environment.
Cost Concerns: It is capital-intensive and labour-intensive to build and run efficient ETPs, which discourages specific industries from deploying these.
Regulatory Challenges: In some areas, enforcement of environmental regulation is weak, enabling industries which do not obey the rules to carry on polluting.
Resource Constraints: Smaller industries might lack the resources and knowledge to utilize good effluent treatment.
Conclusion
India’s industries are a tale of two segments; while some sections are doing well, there are others whose sewage treatment isn’t the best. The Tirupur case study reveals the necessity of active government intervention, increased public awareness and responsible industry practices. Effluent is not only an environmentally required process but also a necessary step towards sustainable industrial development and healthy living for people residing near these industries. This is one aspect where all stakeholders should come onboard and continue their efforts towards making effluent treatment commonplace rather than an exception in India’s manufacturing landscape for a clean and green future.
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