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Corpwatch:
Don't compromise our futures
Cuddalore residents oppose new PVC plant
July, 2002:
Communities around a major industrial park in Cuddalore, Tamilnadu, -
already reeling from the impacts of pollution from the industrial park -
are fed up with business as usual and have stepped up their efforts to put
a stop to the latest proposal for another polluting factory in the area.
Villagers from the surrounding areas of the SIPCOT industrial estate have
joined forces with various groups to oppose a proposed polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) factory being proposed by Chemplast Sanmar, an Indian corporation
with US$20 million funding being sought from the International Finance
Corporation (IFC), a part of the World Bank group. The proposed facility
would produce over 170,000 tons of PVC per year.
Located just 200 kilometers south of Chennai on the east coast of India,
Cuddalore district is rich in minerals as well as host to a number of
rivers entering the Bay of Bengal. The area is also one of the most robust
fishing areas in the state of Tamilnadu, and home to a large number of
fisherpeoples. Tamilnadu's development plans for the area include a heavily subsidized
industrial park, SIPCOT Industrial Complex, under the auspices of the
state-owned corporation, State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil
Nadu (SIPCOT) Limited. SIPCOT was formed in 1975 to promote small, medium
and large scale industries in "backward" areas in Tamilnadu by providing a
host of incentives and infrastructure for industries to locate in certain
areas. The Cuddalore Industrial complex is already home to a number of
chemical, biotech, pharmaceutical and fertilizer companies.
At a press conference held in Cuddalore on June 20, representatives
of Eachangadu Women's Associations, Cuddalore District Consumer Federation
Council, CorpWatch India, Greenpeace, Pasumai Thaayagam and Toxics Link
addressed the press to denounce the proposed PVC facility and asked the
IFC to reject the application for funding.
"I am from Eachangadu, one of the villages worst affected by industrial
pollution in SIPCOT. Industrial pollution has caused untold misery to us,
particularly the women. As women, water supply and ensuring our family's
health is our business. Our water is poisoned. Our children are listless
and fall ill frequently. Skin diseases, nervous disorders, respiratory
problems, chronic headaches and malaise the list is long. We end up
spending nearly Rs. 1000 (US$20) per family from our meager earnings in
monthly medical expenses. We don't want industries that compromise the
future of our children" said S. Vasantha, coordinator of the Vadaamallee
Women's Association.
PVC is made from known carcinogens such as vinyl chloride and the target
of global campaigns calling for its complete ban. Noting this, the press
statement put out by the coalition of groups stated, "PVC is a poison
plastic. Its production, use, recycling and disposal are scientifically
proven to be associated with the release of dangerous poisons, including
known cancer-causing chemicals such as dioxins and vinyl chloride. PVC
factories should not be allowed to be set up anywhere, leave alone in a
place like SIPCOT where communities are already dying a slow-death because
of pollution-related diseases."
Another polluting industry would further devastate the communities already
impacted by industrial activity in the area. Health problems in the area
are rampant and the proposed facility would worsen the health of community
members. The industrial park has already over-exploited water resources
in the area, leading to water scarcity for the residents as well as
pollution of the ground water as a result of the intrusion of seawater
into the local aquifers. The PVC factory proposes to use 120,000 litres of
water every hour - equivalent to the use by 2,400 people in a day! The
Environmental Impacts Assessment is very inaccurate, under reporting toxic
emissions and suppressing crucial facts related to the formation and
release of dioxins. The proposed factory will be sited next to the tidal
river Uppanar, violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of
the Government of India.
The International Finance Corporation of the World Bank group, which
finances and provides advice for private sector ventures and projects in
developing countries in partnership with private investors, has drawn
severe criticism from the groups for approving Chemplast's flawed EIA
report without public consultation, and even before the legally mandated
public hearing took place in India. The groups have also objected to the
irregularities in the process so far and behind the scenes lobbying by
district officials. "We are aware that district authorities have acted as
agents to the company by arm-twisting elected representatives to speak out
in favour of the project," said R. Arul of Pasumai Thaayagam. The groups
will formally complain to the State Government on this matter.
Meanwhile, activists have vowed to increase the pressure on IFC until the
proposed PVC project is scrapped.
Amit Srivastava
July 2002
Amit Srivastava is the coordinator of
CorpWatch India. This article is
republished with permission.
Environmental Issues Homepage
Related:
PVC: The Poison Plastic
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