1. science
2. ecology
3. pollution

MRP(H)­1183/10­11/KLCA004/UGC­SWRO
“POLLUTION OF ENVIRONMENT AND MASS AWAKENING:A CASE
STUDY OF HINDUSTAN INSECTICIDES LTD, ELOOR”
SUMMARY
Protection of environment is the prime concern of every citizen of the
nations. Ours is an “age of human ecology” which demands increasing
recognition to the environmental consciousness. When abuse of the
environment pose threat to life and cause adverse economic repercussions
they are violations against the basic rights of human beings.
We cannot talk of human rights unless we have the right to live in safe
environment with clean air and pure drinking water. The right to life has a
higher status within the hierarchy of human rights norms. Human right is
inextricably linked with environmental right as the right to live in a safe and
healthy environment. It is the right, which relates to man’s very survival.
In the human space situation environment can be defined as a total set of
surrounding components such as air, waterways, flora and fauna together
which affect our growth and development. Survival of these are to be evenly
balanced for the sustenance of the demographic physique. Human caused
unwelcome changes in physical, chemical and biological structure or
characteristics of air, land and water bring in harmful effects, which is
characterized as environmental degradation or pollution.
The Udyogamandal Unit, in Eloor­Edayar region 4kms. from Kalamassery town, Ernakulam District, Kerala, is the central concern of this study. This company cover area of 33 acres of land. The East part of HIL is two factories, such as Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd., and Indian Rare Earths Limited. West part is Southern Gas company. Southern area is covered by Fertilizers Engineering and Designing Company.
The Eloor­Edayar region, about 20 km from where the river meets the Arabian sea, the largest industrial belt in kerala, the commercial capital of Kerala and covers an area of 11.21 sq.km. The place is the hub of chemical industries with about 247 chemical industries located in Eloor. Whereas fishing supplemented by agriculture was the mainstay of the local population in earlier times, industrialisation has put an end to it and
made Eloor the most toxic city in kerala. Two hundred and forty seven primary chemical factories known as the Udyogamandal Industrial Estate
actively operate on this island. Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore, TCC
, Indian Rare Earths Limited , Hindustan Insecticides Limited(HIL),(the only DDT producing facility in India) are some of them. They manufacture
a range of products like chemical­petrochemical products, pesticides, rare earth elements , rubber processing chemicals, fertilizers zinc/chromium compounds etc.
The continuing pollution takes place till date in the surroundings of Hindustan Insecticides Limited, Eloor. The Company rejects criticisms as
act of maligning and misguided propaganda. There is a growing vacuum between industrial development and sustainable development. This vacuum is aggravated due to the differing perception of human and material concerns.
Public policy towards the idea of development is misguided thus it fail to manage between industrial development, environment pollution, public health and economic balances. Protest and resistance to environment degradation is also jeopardy because of disrespect for public course, buffling activism and absence of cohesion between development and proper technology.
Environmental pollution and public protest have now become the cases of two parallels. Even more intreaking is, the fact that, both are growing rapidly instead of resolving the issue. Appeals for eco­friendly development and mindless industrialization are the two simultaneous realities. These realities seldom contribute to the progress of human beings. Considering the HIL pollution issue, we need to understand the significance of establishing an interplay between development, pollution and resistance. This is because, in a much globalizing situation, development, pollution and resistance do not stand independent.
Industrialisation regardless of environment and society have now
become the part of a free market perception of globalization. This element
is very much found in the approach of small and big industrial companies
towards public protest. The continuing pollution takes place till date in
the surroundings of HIL underlines this argument. While learning about
pollution and protest we need to understand the quality of relationship
between particular industries and societies in the respective area. Were
the quality factor is neglected a big world will doubt genuine protest.
Somebody might be ready to face anything to live their respective days.
Here, the truth that pollution is an issue of generations is conveniently
forgotten. In order to tackle the pollution issue properly, we need to give
space for larger concerns like public health, pure and un dangered natural
resources, social vigil and all above the much celebrated “development
with human face”. Such larger case must overtake narrow and short­term
interests like, profit motive, monopoly, market control, and exploitation of
natural resources. Environmental pollution in HIL once again bring forth issues of
natural rights, free air and water, respect for protest , public
accountability , institutional responsibility, social commitment and
positive political activism. We know that all these industrial toxic
hotspots are dominated by rich multi­ national companies and big Indian
business houses who consider themselves accountable to none, who have
manipulated laws and bureaucracies to contaminate this country and its
people in the name of development.