‘Black cotton’ with coal dust getting only up to Rs2,500 per quintal

Nagpur: Agriculture, especially cotton crop, is getting severely affected by air and water pollution in western parts of Chandrapur district. Activists said farmers are getting only Rs2,000-2,500 per quintal for cotton as black coal dust from industries is seen clotting the cotton bolls, as against minimum support price of Rs5,400 per quintal. This has worsened the situation for farmers, many of whom have committed suicide.
Farmers from villages situated adjacent to Tadali MIDC near Chandrapur thronged a public hearing by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for a proposed coal washery on February 15, and displayed cotton plants to officials to reveal their plight.
Chairman of Chandrapur-based NGO Prakurti Foundation Dipak Dixit, activist from Ghugus Ibadul Siddiqui and others interacted with farmers, and visited farms around Tadali MIDC. They recorded videos of farms and statements of farmers.
Dixit and Siddiqui told TOI a thick layer of black dust can be seen accumulated on the soil as well as on cotton plants in all farms. “Black dust can be seen easily visible on cotton bolls. Farmers said they are getting much less than MSP as cotton bolls turn black. Also, this dust will slowly finish productivity in the soil as it will be like a cement concrete layer just below the surface of the farm soil. All are aware about the condition of farmers of Vidarbha. Therefore, the need is to protect them,” they said.
Farmers and office bearers of some gram panchayats also lodged complaints with MPCB.
Dixit, who has been raising issues of pollution for last 15 years, added MPCB is the main culprit for loss to farmers as well as health impact on people. “We are not against industries and endorse the need for more industries in our district. But MPCB overlooks violations by industries which cause pollution. There will be no problems if MPCB and industries follow the norms. I have 15 years’ record of environmental impact assessment of all new industries. All copy and paste, without any proper study, due to nexus with MPCB,” he alleged.
Dixit also said groundwater and rivers of the district, especially in western parts, are also affected to a great extent. “Industries do not treat and reuse industrial waste. Norms say industries should ensure zero discharge. Highly polluted industrial waste contaminates groundwater as well as water bodies,” he said.
Siddiqui said the same problem persists in Ghugus, Gadchandur, Bhadrawati and other areas in western parts of Chandrapur district. “Now, a coal washery has been proposed at Tadali MIDC. Basically, it should be in the premises of coal mines. But, this has been proposed some kilometres away from the mines. It will solve no purpose as coal with high ash content will be transported from mines to washery requiring a lot of fuel. There were three coal washeries near Ghugus some years ago. Groundwater and rivers were extremely polluted when these coal washeries functioned. The same will happen if coal washery is allowed at Tadali,” he said.
MPCB regional officer Madhukar Lad said he has received complaints and will conduct survey of agriculture farms along with teams of agriculture department and district administration. “We will compensate farmers in case of any damage. But people should decide whether they need development or not. Coal washery has been proposed by a private company on its own land,” he said.
IAN
* All coal mines and coal-based industries like thermal power station, sponge iron units, cement manufacturing etc are in western part of Chandrapur district
* All these were highly cultivated areas few decades ago
* MPCB failed to ensure compliance with norms by industries
* Layer of black dust emanating from industries, mines and roads seen in agriculture farms
* Crops, especially cotton, affected as value of cotton goes down drastically due to black dust
* Activists say farmers getting Rs2,000 to Rs2,500 per quintal as against MSP of Rs5,400 per quintal due to black dust on cotton
* Leaves and soil also turning black
* Groundwater as well as surface water in water bodies also affected due to non-compliance of zero discharge norm
* New coal washery proposed at Tadali may worsen situation