Pharma pollution turns hazardous for Yadadri

HYDERABAD: Farmers of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri filed complaints with the ministry of forest environment and National Human Rights Commission against few pharma and chemical companies polluting the agricultural fields in Anthemmagudem of Pochampalli.
Telangana state pollution control board inspected these areas after the ministry of environment forwarded the complaint filed by advocate Sravan Kumar.These villages supply vegetables to Hyderabad.
Farmers Narendra Reddy, Mahesh, Banda Kistaiah, Lingaswamy of Anthemmagudem alleged that pharma, bulk drug industries pollution caused massive loss to the ryots. Banda Kistiaha one of the locals said: “About nine pharma, bulk drug industries are situated on east and west side of Anthemmagudem. Massive soil, surface and ground water pollution has been taking place in Anthemmagudem and its surrounding villages. We have made several complaints to the Telangana state pollution control board, police and revenue departments.”
“The local police registered criminal cases against Narendar Reddy and others for staging protests before the units,” Sravan said. Victims were given Rs 3,200 per acre in 2021. The regulatory agency Telangana state pollution control board and erstwhile AP pollution control board issued orders after conducting inspections based on the villagers’ complaints but did not undertake remedial measures. Telangana state pollution control board did not file criminal case under water and air act against these units for endangering public life and property. Central Pollution Control Board declared Pochampally and Choutuppal cluster as highly polluted areas but are not taking measures to safeguard lives of people,” added Sravan.
Meanwhile, Kishtaiah stressed on the need for a permanent mechanism to be established to look into pollution caused by pharma, bulk drug units in Anthemmagudem and the surrounding two to three kilometres radius. They should pay compensation to agriculture, poultry, dairy loss by conducting detailed enumeration and ensure that fertility of agriculture lands, bore wells, open wells be restored.”