Orissa rubbishes US report claiming Sukinda among 10 most polluted places

Dismissing a report issued by a US-based independent environmental group, which named Sukinda in Orissa as one of the ten most polluted places in the world, the State Pollution Board has said that it would examine the sources of the report.

Sukinda (Orissa), Sept 18 : Dismissing a report issued by a US-based independent environmental group, which named Sukinda in Orissa as one of the ten most polluted places in the world, the State Pollution Board has said that it would examine the sources of the report.

"I totally deny the findings that it (Sukinda) is one of the ten most polluted places of the world. At the moment, we are examining the basis on which they have made this report. We are trying to get the sources of the reports.

"Once we examine the source, we will find out how dependable their conclusion is," said L N Patnaik, Chairman of the State Pollution Board.

As per the report released by the Blacksmith Institute, around 2,600,000 people are potentially affected by the pollution in this industrial township.

Toxic chromium contaminates are found in Sukinda valley, which contain 97 percent of India's chromite ore deposits, and one of the largest open-cast chromite ore mines in the world.

The report, according to the BBC, also said that in Sukinda, there were 12 mines operating without environmental controls, leaching dangerous chemicals into water supplies.

According to environmental activists, they have been warning the State Government against the threat for many years, but in vain.

"We have been raising this issue for a long time. The miners and the industrialist violate the environment law and they don't follow the rule. Because of this, the people are suffering from stomach, eye and heart problems in the region," said Bhakta Mohanty, an environmental activist.

The miners say they have installed treatment plants to stop mine waste being spread over large areas. However, state audits say they so far fail to meet agency regulations.

As per the report, China and India's 10 worst pollution black spots together account for a third of the world's 30 most polluted places. Another Indian city Ranipet is also in the top 10 list.

ANI