Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has established a committee, headed by retired judge Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, to address the extensive ecological damage caused by the tanning industry, untreated sewage, and illegal sand mining in Vellore.
This decision follows a recent Supreme Court order addressing concerns about the environmental degradation of the Palar River, water bodies, groundwater, and agricultural lands in the region.
Vellore’s tanning industry, which dates back to 1914, has had a severe environmental impact on Vaniyambadi, Ambur, Ranipet, and Peranambut. Over 600 tanneries in the area contribute to the problem by discharging untreated effluents containing hazardous substances like chromium, lead, arsenic, and mercury into fields, irrigation tanks, and the Palar River. The total dissolved solids (TDS) levels in the water have reached a hazardous 15,000 mg/l.
The Sathyanarayanan committee includes secretaries from various government departments, environmental experts from NEERI, Nagpur, and Anna University, as well as representatives from the affected community. The committee is tasked with formulating a comprehensive plan to reverse the ecological damage.
Key objectives of the committee include:
- Directing the Pollution Control Board to prohibit the discharge of untreated effluents into the Palar and other water bodies.
- Designating no-discharge zones.
- Identifying locations for common effluent treatment plants (CETPs).
- Evaluating existing CETPs and making recommendations on achieving zero liquid discharge.
The formation of this committee highlights the ongoing struggle to enforce the “polluter pays” principle, established in the 1996 Supreme Court ruling in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India, which emphasized sustainable development.
Recent data indicates that the situation has not improved. A 2024 Central Pollution Control Board report revealed higher concentrations of biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, TDS, chloride, and sulphide in the Palar River compared to 2015 levels.
Additionally, untreated sewage from towns such as Vellore, Vaniyambadi, Melvisharam, Arcot, and Walajahpet continues to flow into the river.
Related News – Polluting Tanneries Must Pay for ‘Irreversible’ Damage to Palar River Says Supreme Court of India
