Keonjhar: A hot mix plant is operational near the reserve sal forest at Manoharpur under Sadar block in Keonjhar district.
A stone-crushing unit is also operating in the vicinity. Both the units are allegedly triggering sound and air pollution in the area, apart from disturbing the movement of the wildlife, a report said.
As per pollution control norms, such units should have adequate pollution control measures and mechanism like high wind-breaking walls and thick green cover around them. But, all such norms have been thrown to the winds, locals lamented.
“Dust particles emanating from the stone-crushing unit are flying about in the ambient air and settling on houses and farmlands. Both humans and wildlife are affected by the pollution,” they alleged. Reports said, the stone crushing unit and the hot mix plant are just 500 metre from the reserve sal forest in Raghunathpur revenue circle.
The area witnesses movement of elephants and other wild animals throughout the year. The two units are operating day and night, causing severe air pollution, locals alleged. They added that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), the Forest department, the Revenue department are taking no action against these polluting units.
They have cast their doubts on the role of the OSPCB and two other departments. “We wonder if their owners have taken permission of the OSPCB or not. This needs to be investigated. Piles of stone blocks, chips and boulders are scattered near the forest,” locals said strongly objecting to such unauthorized use of the forest land for stone stocking.
They have expressed their displeasure on it. Besides, huge quantities of boulders have been stocked nearby. But no one knows where the stones were mined from. Locals have demanded stern action against the polluting units according to provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act-1988. However, manager of the hot mix plant Biranchi Behera said that the plant is operational on the SPCB permission.
Sadar ranger Bijay Mohant said that no project should be executed in the area 500 metre from the forest fringes. “If such projects are proposed near forests, permission from the forest department is required. If the norms are found to be violated during a probe, action be taken,” the ranger added.
Regional officer of the OSPCB, Prashant Kar said that the matter will be investigated. Sadar tehsildar Ashish Mohapatra said that action will be taken only after an investigation into the matter.
–PNN