In Shivamogga taluk (Karnataka), farmers from Machenahalli and neighbouring villages are facing environmental issues as an apparel factory (of one of the leading apparel exporters) is polluting water bodies in the region.
Alleging that the factory has been polluting water bodies in the locality by releasing untreated effluents, people staged a protest against the apparel unit.
M.S. Maheshwarappa, Environment Officer of Karnataka State Pollutional Control Board said the board had issued notices earlier asking the industry to follow the guidelines in handling the effluents.
The state officials has collected samples from the water bodies recently and sent for laboratory tests. The reports are expected soon and necessary action will be taken accordingly.
As per a report of The Hindu, (the leading English daily), residents alleged that the factory had damaged their lives as well as the lives of the cattle.
The dust from the factory settled on the structures nearby and impacted minor industries operating in the industrial area.
It has been also said that the factory got the land at discounted rate and received benefit further in the form of subsidies but it is not following the rules.
