14
July 2003
Epidemic Outbreak of Gastroenteritis and Death due to
Pollution of
An epidemic outbreak of
gastroenteritis has resulted in the death of a child, renal failure of a young
man and serious illness of over 50 Gowli tribes from the Kariampalli village in
Dandeli Taluk. The apparent reason for
this has been the discharge of untreated effluents from the West Coast Paper
Mills, Dandeli into the
When villagers attempted to file a
case with the police, they were dissuaded from doing so.
The dead child was 10 days old, and
born to Takki of Kariampalli.
27 year old Janu suffered acute
renal failure due to excess dehydration, and is presently in intensive care at
the
The District Authorities or the
company has extended no support to any affected person or family.
As part of the Kali Bachao Andolan,
we had met with the Chief Minister of Karnataka on 6th June and
presented a representation urging immediate action on the threats to the river
due to pollution, dams and sand mining.
The Chief Minister had directed the Environment Department for action,
but surely this action has not been timely, or enough, to save the unfortunate
child’s death.
We are enclosing the representation
made to the Chief Minister today to provide more details on the issue.
Your immediate action in covering this issue is certain to bring public and political pressure on the Government to at least now take action as required.
We have demanded that:
1.
West Coast Paper Mills must be immediately shut down, pending enquiry, and immediate
action taken, including criminal proceedings against those directly involved,
and also those complicitly involved, as per law.
2.
A high level enquiry must be ordered and an independent site visit be
immediately undertaken to ascertain the extent of the damage caused to public
health and environment, and the report must be made public.
3.
A special investigation must be ordered to ascertain the
reasons preventing the police and district authorities from refusing to accept
complaints of the public in this regard, and whether they are under pressure against
acting in accordance with law, and the report made public.
|
Leo F. Saldanha |
Pandurang Hegde |
|
Coordinator, Environment Support
Group S-3, Rajashree Apartments 18/57, 1st Telefax: 91-80-6341977/6531339 Email: [email protected] |
Coordinator, Parisara Samrakshana
Kendra, Sirsi Sirsi (Uttara Kannada Dt.) Karnataka 581401 Tel: 91-8384 425139/425039 Fax: 91-4435450/ 427839 Email: [email protected] |
for KALI BACHAO ANDOLAN
Encl. As above