Koppal protests expose governance failure

The ongoing protests by residents and farmers in and around Koppal highlight a crisis that can no longer be ignored. The demand to shut down or relocate 33 medium, large, and ultra-large factories reflects the severe toll these industries are taking on health, livelihood, and the environment.

While the recent decision of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to halt the Baldota Steel and Power Plant has provided temporary relief, the broader issue remains unresolved. Farmers and residents within a seven-km radius of Koppal town continue to suffer as the pollution from these factories is devastating crops, contaminating water, and poisoning the air.

With 22 of the 33 industries classified as highly polluting by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the scale of environmental damage is alarming.

These factories, which produce steel, cement, fertilisers, and industrial gases, are accused of releasing untreated effluents that have converted fertile lands to barren wastelands. Fly ash and harmful chemicals from neighbouring factories have rendered agriculture unsustainable, forcing many farmers to abandon their only source of livelihood.

Despite attempts to grow alternative crops, the land remains unproductive. The compensation offered by factories is meagre and fails to address the magnitude of the losses suffered by the farmers. Meanwhile, residents endure a range of health issues, from respiratory problems to skin allergies, as the air and water become increasingly toxic.

The situation is exacerbated by the prospect of new industrial projects. The recent Memorandums of Understanding signed with three ultra-large companies including Baldota, during the Global Investors Meet, has heightened fears among the locals. The proximity of these industries to residential areas raises serious concerns about the long-term impact on health and the environment. Activists argue that Koppal has become a dumping ground for harmful industries that are rejected elsewhere.

The KSPCB must act without delay. Despite receiving numerous complaints and issuing notices to industries for the violation, little has been done to address the crisis. Industries that fail to treat emissions or dispose of waste scientifically must be shut down immediately.

This is a failure of governance and a betrayal of the trust placed in the authorities to protect the larger public interest. The KSPCB must enforce stringent regulations, prioritise the well-being of the residents, and resist pressure from influential stakeholders, including politicians and industrialists.

The people of Koppal have made it clear that their health and livelihoods are at stake. While industrial development is important, it cannot be at the cost of human lives and environmental degradation. What is needed is a balanced approach that promotes sustainable development while safeguarding the health and livelihood of the people.