UPCL affected lives of people, says Report

Water has been contaminated, the yielding capacity of crops has gone down, and reproduction of livestock too has been affected.

These are some of the points mentioned in the findings of the expert committee that inspected the areas affected by Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL).

The report states that the lives of people living in villages like Yellur, Nandikur, Nadsalu, Thenka Yermalu, Bada Padebettu, Santhoor, Palimar, Karnire and Hejamady has been grossly affected. Along with air pollution, even the fertility of soil has gone down, thereby leading to depletion in crop yield.

The report also states about a startling fact that most of the animals domesticated in the area are not being able to reproduce. 

“The growth of plants around the region is not like before. The dust settlements on the leaves of the plants are burning down the leaves. There is sudden dwarfening of plants. People are facing breathing problems due to the air pollution. The salt emanating from cooling tower of the unit has been depositing on the fodder, making it unfit for consumption by the cattle,” the report reads.

The report says that the iron content in water available around two kms radius of the unit has increased drastically. The water in the region does not meet the UNO prescribed standards. 

The coal waste is released to water bodies in Yellur, Padebettu, Thenka and south Kolachur, which has massively polluted the water bodies. The report speaks of the unscientific management of flying ash. It is said that the water from the ash pit is released into River Shambhavi due to which the underground water at Santhoor village is getting affected. 

“The salt mixed water is getting leaked due to which the fertility of the soil is at stake. This is having direct impact on the yield,” the report says and adds that the number of birds in the region too has decreased.

The report recommends steps to stop pollution in the region, restore the natural surroundings, all works related to pollution control and conservation of nature should be taken up by the management and Government should not fund these projects and the unit should abide by all rules and norms applicable to them.

Dr T V Ramachandra, Y B Ramakrishna, Gautham Krishnadas, Sudarshan P Bhat, Durga Madab Mahapathra and Bharath Aithal were the members of the team.