Subbaiah Shetty Bandasale House

Kadandale Village and Post

Karkala Tk.

Dakshina Kannada

Tel: 08258-87239

Dr. Shivalingaiah

Member Secretary

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board

Public Utility Building

Bangalore 560 001

11 July 1997

Reg.: The establishment of an hazardous dyes manufacturing unit at Kadandale village, Kodange, Karkala Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district proposed by M/s. Engel Hard Highland Pvt, Ltd.

Dear Sir,

We wish to bring to your notice the establishment of an hazardous dyes manufacturing unit at the aforementioned village by an US company M/s. Engel Hard Highland Pvt. Ltd. We understand that the manufacturing of dyes is an hazardous process which requires various statutory clearances, particularly given that these result in extremely toxic waste discharges.

The said development has been coming up in our village since December 1996. Several attempts by us to understand the nature of the processes as well as the fact whether an industry can come up in a totally rural area such as Kadandale, have been frustrated due to the non-divulgence of information by the company representatives or the relevant agencies.

We have made a representation that the industry should not be allowed in the region to the Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada vide letter enclosed dated 15 April 1997 (copies marked to Asst. Commissioner of Kundapur and Tahsildar of Karkala). However, we have received any no response till date.

Sir, the factory (three stories of which is already constructed) is coming up on land that is meant for agricultural purposes. Further, the factory is located in a totally rural setting and adjacent to Shambavi River. The Subramanya Swamy High School, the Government Poor Boys Hostel, over 200 houses of poor people with 5 cents land and Guthukadu Reserve Forest of the Karnataka Forest Dept. are all within 100 metres of this industrial development.

We apprehend that the pollution caused by this industry, could be highly toxic and impact in a very serious manner on the health of the local population and result in the degradation of the pristine environment of the region. We fail to understand how an industry of such an hazardous nature can come up in such pristine surroundings without any permission from your department, whatsoever. All the villagers of Kadandale are strongly objecting to this development and fearing grievous consequences if this industry is allowed to be set up due to the pollution of our air, soil, rivers and ground water.

We therefore appeal to you to kindly intervene in this matter immediately and stop the further development of this hazardous industry. We are of the sincere belief that the region is not suited for such industries and request you to pass such orders as may be necessary for the protection of the environment of the region and revoking all clearances, if already provided, to the said industry.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

K. Subbaiah Shetty

and on behalf of villagers of Kadandale

Encl.: As above

cc:

Mr. Swathantra Rao, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Ecology and Environment, Govt. of Karnataka