J&K Assembly Environment Committee orders probe into alleged pollution and proposed cement plant in Kathua

Following complaints over the government’s move to set up a cement plant near a wildlife sanctuary and allegations of industrial units discharging effluents into water bodies in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, a high-level team has been constituted to probe the matter and submit a comprehensive report within fifteen days.

The team, led by the Chairman of the Pollution Control Committee, along with the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, and other concerned officers, has been constituted by the Committee on Environment of the J&K Legislative Assembly, headed by CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, which visited the area on Tuesday.

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The Committee visited the SIDCO Industrial Estate, Ghatti Complex, Kathua, to interact with stakeholders and take stock of environmental concerns related to industrial activities in the area.

The Committee has been mandated to assess the impact of industrial waste on human health, flora, fauna and agricultural land, besides reviewing the status of measures taken to maintain ecological balance and ensure environmental protection.

During the visit, MLAs Mustaq Guroo, Zafar Ali Khatana, Khurshied Ahmad, Rajiv Jasrotia and Darshan Kumar, members of the Committee, were present.

Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Vikramjeet Singh; Chairman, Pollution Control Committee, Vasu Yadav; Director, Industries and Commerce Jammu, Arun Kumar Manhas; Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rajesh Sharma; President, Industrial Association Kathua; and deputations from different areas also attended the interaction.

The Committee took a first-hand appraisal of the issues and concerns raised by various deputations and held detailed discussions on the prevailing ground situation, environmental implications and apprehensions of the local population.

A delegation raised objections to the proposed acquisition of land for the establishment of a cement industry near Kaalna–Bhatodi villages, stating that the area is agro-dependent and falls under the red category zone. The delegation maintained that such an industry should be set up in an uninhabited area to safeguard agriculture and the environment.

Another deputation, led by a former PRI member, alleged that certain industrial units are discharging effluents into local water bodies in violation of prescribed safety norms.

A deputation from Jhang village informed the Committee that wastewater from some industrial units contains chemical concentrations that have adversely affected crops in the area.

MLA Rajiv Jasrotia also pointed out that the proposed site for the cement unit is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary, raising serious ecological concerns.

The deputations also submitted water and crop samples to the Committee for examination.

The Committee further enquired into the functioning of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and the extent of local employment being provided by the industrial units.

In his concluding remarks, the Chairman assured the people that after submission of the report by the high-level team, the Committee on Environment would re-examine the emerging situation in detail and assess the findings in consultation with feedback received from local residents.

He reiterated that the Committee is committed to protecting public health and environmental safety and categorically assured that no industrial activity would be allowed or encouraged at the cost of the lives, livelihoods and well-being of the people.