Out of the 31 locations in Neyvelli surveyed, 17 were found to be seriously contaminated and 11 were contaminated
Rising mercury level in borewell water in Tamil Nadu has led to a vast number of people suffering from multiple ailments related to kidney and liver, according to study in villages in Neyveli and Parangipettai in Tamil Nadu.
The study, ‘Powering Pollution - The Environmental Impacts of Thermal Power Stations and Mining Operations in Neyveli and Parangipettai’, was carried out in villages around Neyvelli Lignite Corporation (NLCIL) under the aegis of Chennai based-advocacy groups Manthan Adhyayan Kendra and Poovulagbin Nanbargal.
The soil samples were found to be polluted. The spill over effect of this is on the fertility of soil and livelihoods of people, making it a matter of worry for the agricultural sector in the state, noted the study.
Out of the 31 locations in Neyvelli surveyed, 17 were found to be seriously contaminated and 11 were contaminated. According to the 2021 study conducted by Centre for Energy and Clean Air, Tamil Nadu remains one of the largest producers of sulphur dioxide and coal. Neyvelli district is the major coal burning cluster in the state.
Metals like iron, magnesium, calcium, aluminium found in water bodies make it unfit for drinking and impact sectors such as fisheries and agriculture.
Sustainable solutions by the state to tackle such crises include increasing the number of green belts in the area and prohibiting fly ash dumping in water bodies.
Punitive action should be taken against those who are violating environmental norms. Compensation should be paid to the victims who were afflicted with the diseases and employees who are required to work under extreme conditions along with fishermen, added the study.