Blue dogs: Polluting firm gets notice
MUMBAI: Five days after HT reported that untreated industrial waste dumped into the Kasadi river in Taloja was turning dogs blue, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board( MP CB) has taken action against the firm. The company has been warned of a shutdownif theydo not adhere to pollution norms in 15 days.
The firm, located near the common effluent treatment plant in Navi Mumbai, uses blue dye to manufacture detergents. Stray dogs often wade into the river for food and emerge with bright blue fur. One of five such ‘blue dogs’ spotted has even gone blind owing to the chemicals, said Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) members.
The company not only discharges dye into the river without treating it first, but also releases residual dye powder into the air, said MPCB officials. “We have collected photographic evidence. There is only one company in this area responsible for these violations,” said Jayant Hajare, sub-regional officer, MPCB.
He said the firm has violated norms under the Water( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
“The firm does not have adequate air or water pollution monitoring equipment. This has led to the emission and discharge of pollutants ,” said Hajare. “A report has been submitted to our head office and a hearing with the private company is likely to take place within the next fortnight. If they do not control pollution, we will shut them down,” he added.
Officials from the firm said a technical team was monitoring the situation at the site .“We have installed a temporary gate to prevent strays from entering the river. We will adhere to MPCB’s instructions within a week ,” said an official from the company.
The Na vi Mumbai Animal Protection Cell, which took photos of the blue dogs to raise awareness, asked the TSP CA animal hospital to help them save the canines. “We have been conducting awareness drives in the area so people realise how dogs and other animals are affected by the chemical pollution ,” said Ar a ti Ch au han, a Na vi Mumbai resident who runs the cell .“The dye has also turned a few sparrows blue,” she added.
Sh akunt ala Maj um dar, president, TSP CA, said :“The blue colour is water solubles owe expect the rain to was hit away, but we do not know what internal damage the dogs have sustained.” A chemical analysis of the dye and health report of the animals will be ready within a week, she said.