KOCHI: The decision to cancel endosulfan production is not enough to stop the calamity, pointed out environmentalists. While taking measures to cancel endosulfan production, the authorities should also ensure that the endosulfan sludge, which is found near HIL, is removed without creating any environmental impact, said environmentalist C M Joy.
“Otherwise it will affect the drinking water supply of lakhs of people. There should be measures to clean the Kuzhikkandam creek at Eloor,” he said.
He was reacting to the state government’s decision on Friday cancelling the licence for the Hindustan Insecticides Ltd (HIL) to manufacture endosulfan at its Eloor plant. HIL was closed down two weeks ago after the Kerala State Pollution Control Board issued a closure notice to the company. Responding to the news, HIL officials at Eloor maintained that discussions were held with the state government to reopen the plant. "We held one round of discussion with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Minister Adoor Prakash and the Pollution Control Board officials. Based on the discussion it was decided that the Pollution Control Board will issue orders to revoke its earlier closure order today. We are hopeful that we would be able to reopen the factory on Saturday," said K K Dhar, general manager, HIL, Eloor. He said that he was aware of the state government's decision to cancel the licence for Endosulfan manufacturing. "So far we have not received any communication in this regard from any official," Dhar said.
It was on May 11 that the Pollution Control Board issued closure notice to HIL for not complying with
PCB directions on the removal of sludge containing hazardous waste, including Endosulfan, which the company has been dumping in a lagoon.