Since July 19, bureaucratic red tape has allowed tonnes of highly dangerous acidic garbage reportedly dumped by manufacturers in Ahmedabad’s industrial clusters to spread across significant portions of a field in Rasam village, Bavla taluka, a few kilometres from the city.
In a statement to the Bavla police, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) Scientific Officer Dr Pradip Dave said, “The garbage is destructive to the environment and may affect human life.” A visit to this farm reveals that there is a well-organized fraud going on. For months, canals were built and pumps installed to drain untreated toxic industrial effluents from tanker trucks into mud embankment-protected ponds. Officials with the GPCB believe that the hazardous material was being processed for use as fuel in industrial boilers. Fluid from the toxic pools is already leaking into migratory bird nesting areas, posing a serious threat to wildlife.
On July 19, police in Bavla got information that three individuals from Patan, Ramanji Thakor, a truck driver, and Muman Sulia and Manuji Thakor, both cleaners, had dumped hazardous trash near a brick klin in Rasam village.
GPCB was immediately notified, and a crew was dispatched to the scene. Samples were taken, and it was discovered that 70 200-litre drums and 15 bags containing about 1 tonne of toxic waste had been dumped on the site.
“The problem has already been cleared by the court. Locals are concerned that this poisonous chemical will seep into groundwater, posing a major threat. First and foremost, the GPCB should clean up the mess “Praful Mehta, a farmer from the Bavla area, agrees. Officials from the GPCB claim. “The trash must be disposed of in a scientifically sound manner or be burnt. However, we believe this was a well-planned scheme. A handful of the suspects in the case have been granted bail.”
Meanwhile, local police claim that the GPCB will clean up the mess, and have placed three constables on the farm to prevent trespassing and messing with the poisonous evidence.