Water samples tested from the 10 sources in around Mavallipura village by the chief chemist of the Department of Mines and Geology has revealed that the water of the region is highly polluted.
Water samples collected from the Bailappa check dam (Jarakabande forest land), Koramarakunte lake, Koramarakunte open well, Ananda borewell, Ramky landfill leachate pond, Mavallipura lake, Nagaraj borewell, Mavallipura (OHT) borewell, FRLHT Garden and T. Lakshmaiah borewell show water that is highly contaminated with calcium, magnesium, iron, hydroxide, bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, sulphate, total dissolved solids (TDS), E-coliform bacteria and total coliform traces.
Presenting the report here on Tuesday, Leo F. Saldanha of the Environment Support Group (ESG) said traces of all these elements and biological waste materials are above Indian Standard Drinking Water (IS:10500) parameters. Both humans and animals living around the dump yard are at risk, he said. “All 10 points monitored reveal shocking levels of pollution. Not only is any water source not potable in this entire area now, additionally these waters are extremely corrosive. It is no wonder that sheep and cattle that drink the waters are sickly and dying by the droves, and people are increasingly affected and dying due to various chronic and infectious diseases,” he said.
He said the local population’s health has been compromised and this has led further to loss of livelihood. “They are worried about the long-term consequences of the approximately 15 lakh tonnes of waste dumped in their village commons. In addition, for several years now, communities have raised concerns that the birds attracted by these landfills pose a serious danger to India's defence security as the Yelahanka Air Force training base is merely five kilometres away. At least 11 aircraft from the base have suffered bird hits in the past year.”
Mr Saldanha said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has directed the BBMP to shut down the landfill operated by Ramky, on grounds that the company has violated rules and conditions. KSPCB has also directed that all the waste lying there should be processed, composted, and the refuse translocated to Mandur landfill within three months.
He alleged that instead of finding a solution to the problem, BBMP is pushing into Mavallipura another toxic facility—a waste to energy project. “When this project was cleared, it was done in total violation of the norms and rules contained in the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, and the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2000, and also without any statutory consultation with local communities as required by law,” Mr Saldanha alleged.
He said the BBMP must start criminal proceedings against those who have abused the life of the local inhabitants, and urged the government to provide drinking water and health facilities to the locals and compensation.