AN NGO FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, PROTECTION AND

SECURITYContact at:

0512-2402986/2405229 Mob: 9415129482

Website: www.ecofriends.org

e-mail : rakjai@sancharnet.in, info@ecofriends.org, rakesh@ecofriends.org

Environmental Improvement Programme For The Children of Pollution Affected Jajmau and Noraiakheda Areas of Kanpur

Two most polluted sites of Kanpur

Jajmau:

Kanpur has a predominance of leather industry. Some 380 odd leather units are located in Jajmau area, right on the bank of river Ganga. These units, which use many toxic chemicals, are the single largest contributor to the pollution of the surface as well as groundwater of Jajmau area in Kanpur.

Highly toxic irrigation water (Sewage mixed with tannery effluent)

This wastewater is being used for irrigating 2500 hectares of farmland. This water is highly toxic and has been reported

to be laced with heavy metals like chromium, arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium and other

toxicants.

Huge piles of toxic tannery sludge lying in an unsafe way. The hazardous waste is being dumped indiscriminately along the only road leading to the

villages. This has resulted into pollution of the local environment and contamination of the groundwater.

Illegal glue factories add to the air pollution

Noraiakheda:

Noraiakheda is located in the industrial area of the city. The area assumes significance on account of location of chemical factories and its dense population, dominated by poor and landless people who are most vulnerable to health risks. Noraiakheda has been used for years as waste disposal site by the Basic Chrome Sulphate (BCS) manufacturing units, which supply BCS to chrome tanning units of leather industry. This has lead to contamination of groundwater of Noraiakheda with Chromium, which is a known carcinogen. The residents (approximately 10,000) of the area are forced to drink this contaminated water, which has been found to be highly unsafe in the absence of any alternative provision.

Raw effluent flowing in a drain just opposite

Noraiakheda area.

Hazardous industrial waste dump site which is at a distance of apprx. 500

meters from Noraiakheda area.

Unhygienic conditions prevailing in Noraiakheda area

Chromium laced yellow green water coming out of a hand pump in Noraiakheda.

People afflicted with various skin problems

Kids afflicted with various skin problems

Villagers with various kinds of skin problems (rashes, boils, papules, vesicles, eczema, ring worm, white spot, blisters, decay of nails, advance stages of leprosy, numbness of limbs).

Eco-Friends Campaigns

Survey and rapid assessment

Letters to authorities at various levels

Water quality tests

Meetings

Protests and rallies

Village to village campaigns

Workshops and public hearings

Education and awareness programs

Meetings

Village meetings

Public meetings and rallies

Protests and rallies

Protests and rallies

Public hearings

Education and awareness programs for kids

Education and awareness programs

Education and awareness programs

“Sewage irrigation water is toxic” – written by kids on irrigation channel

Before & After intervention

Two deep tube wells have been setup to

supply safe drinking water to 14 pollution

affected villages

Total cleanliness campaign launched by the District Cleanliness

Committee

Accomplishments

• Multi-stakeholder Consultative Action Group• Judicial intervention• Chrome Recovery Plants setup in 88 Chrome tanning leather

units of Kanpur• Common Chrome Recovery Plant for 110 small units under

progress• Scientific Landfill site for safe disposal of tannery sludge under

progress • Two deep tube wells for safe drinking water to 14 villages • Roads were constructed and villages were electrified • Occasional health check up camps • Ground water remediation project in Noraiakheda in progress• Villagers now politically more active

Multi stakeholder Consultative Action Group meetings

In response to Eco-Friends’ Writ Petition,

Supreme Court Monitoring Committee on hazardous waste

visited Kanpur

MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Challenges

Unfinished Agenda:

• Safe irrigation and drinking water• Safe disposal of industrial waste• Hygienic conditions • Safe and healthy environment

Constraints:

• Lack of resources• Lax implementation of environmental laws• Callous industries• Slow progress in implementing the projects• No epidemiological studies done in the area• Lack of affordable health facilities• Difficult to establish health impacts due to environmental risks exposure

We’ll not stop

We’ll keep marching towards

A healthy and safe environment for children

Thank you very muchRAKESH K. JAISWAL