BECG

Kathikudam Nita Gelatin Case Chalakudy, Kerala

By, Arun Jose Sec:B DMS

Where is ETHICS ?

Kerala Chemicals & Proteins Ltd (KCPL), co. started operation in 1979

renamed to Nita Gelatin India Ltd (NGIL) in 2008 - Japanese-Indian JV

manufacture Ossein (raw material for manufacture of gelatin) from animal bones Gelatin - shells of pharmaceutical capsules - easier to swallow

factory works 24 hrs, consumes 120 tons of animal bones & 1,20,000L of hydrochloric acid

official figures: factory consumes 62,90,200L of water everyday, pumped directly from Chalakudy river
as per informed sources: water consumption of the co. 3 times more! Sources of Pollution Ossien Plant: water containing hydrochloric acid, grease, traces of oil & large quantities of bone marrow & chunks of meat removed from animal bones Limed Ossien Plant: water containing large quantity of lime & other liquified pollutants DiCalcium Phosphate Plant: water containing large quantities of chloride

discharge taken to Raw Efficient Tank only neutralisation of acid takes place no facilities exist for removing chemical impurities afterwards, effluent allowed to pass through clarifiers & thickeners water that remains discharged into floor of Chalakudy River through underground pipes Soil Degradation & Pollution

in early years, solid waste deposited in deep trenches within the factory this led to the contamination of local well water, paddy fields & other water bodies wells & paddy fields turned defunct

Water Pollution effluent water discharged into Chalakudy river caused immense damage to underground water as well as surface water in the area many of the local streams today completely polluted & water flowing through these channels totally unusable for drinking, washing or agriculture

during summer, death of fish common occurrence

Health Issues reports from local hospitals & Panchayat officials shown that a disproportionate number of older women diagnosed with cancer in their respiratory & reproductive systems

rosy picture of envt. policy in cos website

Kadukutty Panchayat that oversees Kathikudam not given its consent to NGIL in the last 5 years circulation of waste in Kathikudam & along Chalakkudy produced a sea of protests & demonstrations in last 6 years led by the Nita Gelatin Action Council (NGILAC) on July 21st, 2013 many protestors & members of NGILAC were violently attacked by police officials

protest at Kathikudam NGIL, Kerala

Where is ETHICS ?