On April 30, 2022, the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, along with the former Industries Minister, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, officially opened a new grain-based ethanol plant in Parora, located in the Purnea district. This plant represents a significant milestone as it is the first of its kind following the implementation of the ethanol policy in 2021, jointly established by the Central and State governments. The Eastern India Biofuels Private Limited constructed the plant at a cost of Rs 105 Crores. With a daily production capacity of 65 kiloliters, the facility utilizes food grains to produce ethanol.
Furthermore, Bihar has plans to establish 16 additional ethanol plants, collectively capable of producing approximately 35 crore liters of ethanol annually.
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Distress in the Krityanand Nagar Block
While CM Nitish Kumar may commend himself for inaugurating the country’s pioneering grain-based ethanol plant in Bihar, residents of the Krityanand Nagar block in Purnea are experiencing distress due to the plant’s presence. The local population living in proximity to the facility has begun reporting eye irritation. The discharge of contaminated water from the plant is adversely affecting the crops of farmers, leaving the community feeling helpless amid the presence of black particles in the air and an unpleasant stench.
Just a few meters away from the ethanol plant, the Vidya Vihar Residential School is situated, accommodating hundreds of children in its hostel. The students and staff of the school have been consistently expressing concerns about eye irritation. The black particles emitted from the factory are clearly visible on the plants and trees within the school premises. Despite daily washing by the gardener, a black layer settles on the leaves each day.
Health Effects and Environmental Violations
Arvind Saxena, a senior administrator at Vidya Vihar Residential School, states, “Students at the school are falling ill regularly. Since the factory started operating, a significant amount of smoke and dust particles have been released. They settle on the plants and trees, affecting the children’s eyes during playtime. Some of them even experience difficulty in breathing. Although washing them away with water provides temporary relief, the stench persists throughout the day, causing disturbances. If this breathing difficulty continues, it could become a serious issue. Children are also facing eye problems, leading to illnesses. This problem has the potential to escalate.”
Ram Bhajan Singh, a security guard at the school, recently experienced severe eye irritation, causing redness. He sought relief by using eye drops. “My eyes were burning for 2-3 days, and I took medication to alleviate the irritation. It started about 8-10 days ago,” says Ram Bhajan.
Similar issues are being observed among the villagers residing in the tribal tola behind the school. Sanjay Marandi, a villager, frequently complains about eye irritation. Marangmoi Hasda’s daughter, while cutting grass, had watery eyes for four consecutive days. Phool Devi explains that activities like eating in their front yard or drying clothes in the open have become extremely challenging.
“Particles spread and enter our eyes, including those of small children. Our eyes hurt for 2-3 days, and the pain subsides only after applying eye drops; otherwise, it persists,” says Marangmoi.
In front of the ethanol plant, there is a paramedical-cum-nursing institute where Fantoosh Paswan, a staff member, highlights the adverse effects of the factory’s pollution on patients seeking medical assistance. The pollution’s impact extends up to his village, located approximately 2 kilometers away. Paswan mentions that all patients visiting the institute experience problems with their eyes, ears, and nose due to the particles entering their systems. Many patients also produce black mucus when they sniff.
Paswan further explains, “If you keep milk in the house, a layer of ash forms on the cream. Even the cream of the milk gets wasted. People don’t get milk cream for consumption. We struggle to maintain 2-4 cows that provide a small amount of milk, which ends up spoiling overnight.”
Toxic Watch, an initiative of the East India Research Council that focuses on researching such issues, sheds light on the violation of air pollution laws in this case. Gopal Krishan, associated with Toxic Watch, states, “The State Pollution Control Board should promptly investigate this matter. The gases emitted from the ethanol plant are toxic and include significant pollutants such as Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, and Acrolein. Alongside carbon dioxide, these gases pose serious health and environmental risks. Formaldehyde is known to cause diseases like blood cancer and throat cancer. Acrolein gas leads to headaches and can even cause fainting in some individuals upon exposure. Acetaldehyde causes stomach problems and affects memory. Formaldehyde also causes eye irritation. The World Health Organization and other research organizations have established these facts.”
Gopal emphasizes, “This case also involves the violation of air pollution laws. As a new plant, it might not have submitted its Environmental Laws Compliance report yet. However, it is the responsibility of the State Pollution Control Board to promptly investigate the complaints of eye irritation and other health issues faced by the people. They should inspect the plant and, if necessary, compel the company to provide compensation to those affected.”
Crop Damage and Farmer’s Struggles
Farmers whose lands are situated near the ethanol factory are facing significant damage to their crops. Milan Kumar Yadav, who had invested lakhs of rupees in cultivating foxnuts on 2 acres of land, experienced the complete destruction of his crop due to the water discharged from the factory. Similarly, his paddy crop suffered the same fate, and his farm is still inundated with water, rendering it impossible for him to resume farming activities.
Milan expresses his frustration, stating, “I had planted foxnuts on this land spanning 2-3 acres, and the crop had grown well. However, I was devastated to find that they all burned. Upon investigation, I discovered that the factory’s water discharge had entered my land, resulting in the destruction of the foxnuts.”
He adds, “They initially assured me that the water discharge was a mistake and that they would cease it and provide compensation. However, neither have they stopped the discharge nor provided any compensation. The farm is still filled with water, preventing me from sowing anything.”
Dinesh Paswan, a resident and farmer, has been struggling with the aftermath of water discharged from the factory, which has resulted in the stunted growth of his maize crops for the past two months. Despite numerous complaints to the factory, no action has been taken to address the issue.
Paswan, who relies on his 13-kattha farm for sustenance, expressed his frustrations, stating, “This is a 13-kattha farm. I sowed maize, and the next morning, they discharged water. I am a poor man with just this farm. When we tell them, they don’t even stop the water discharge. It is evident to see.”
Despite pleading with the factory authorities multiple times to cease the water discharge and considering the impact on their impoverished circumstances, the farmers have been met with indifference. The factory even suggested that they sell their land, an impractical solution given the rising land prices and their limited financial means.
Ecosystem and Economic Implications
The consequences of the pollution extend beyond crop damage. Kishore Yadav, who works in a nearby nursery, highlighted that the pollution has negatively affected mango trees, resulting in a reduced fruit yield. The leaves of the trees bear a layer of particles from the pollution, attracting worms and compromising the overall health of the trees.
Farmers like Paswan and local residents are witnessing the stark contrast between previous bountiful harvests and the current dire situation. The pollution-induced damages have led to the destruction of half of Paswan’s farm, leaving him with minimal prospects for a successful harvest. The water discharged from the factory is believed to contain harmful chemicals that emit a distinct odor and have a corrosive effect on the maize crops.
The visible layer of particles on the leaves of trees and the diminished fruit yield from mango trees further validate the detrimental impact of the factory’s pollution on the local ecosystem.
Gopal Krishan highlights the fact that these factories operate primarily in the crop and foodgrains sectors, making the destruction of crops an issue that warrants immediate attention. The destruction not only poses a threat to farmers’ livelihoods but also has broader implications for food security and the local economy.
Lack of coordination between factories and farming practices has resulted in the failure to achieve the intended goals of these crop-based factories. While these factories claim to operate in the interest of the environment, Krishan argues that without addressing the elements of pollution such as air pollution, water pollution, and groundwater pollution, their operations may not serve the best interests of the local community.
Encroachment and Coercive Tactics
Farmers in the region are facing not only the destruction of their crops but also the closure of the path leading to their farms, allegedly due to encroachment by a local factory. Deshbandhu Kumar, a Zila Parishad member also known as Bulbul Paswan, has raised concerns over the factory’s actions, highlighting the dire consequences faced by the farming community.
According to Paswan, the factory has encroached upon the path that was originally used by farmers to access their farms. Despite promises made by the factory management to construct a separate path, no progress has been made, leaving farmers in a predicament. Previously, a canal served as a vital route for farmers to transport their maize, paddy, and wheat across more than 100 acres of farmland. However, the construction of the factory resulted in the encroachment of the canal area, causing significant distress to farmers and the local community.
Suppression and Denial of Accountability
Furthermore, allegations have emerged regarding the factory owners’ coercive tactics to acquire farmland from protesting farmers. Arvind Saxena of Vidya Vihar School has indicated that complaints have been lodged multiple times regarding this issue, but no action has been taken thus far.
Attempts to address the situation through official channels have been met with frustration. Milan Yadav, a farmer, stated that letters were sent to various authorities, including the Environment officers, District Magistrate, and Pollution Control Board, but a tangible response is still awaited. A committee was reportedly formed by the Pollution Control Board to investigate the matter, particularly regarding the issuance of the factory’s certificate. However, no updates or progress have been communicated to the concerned individuals.
Shambhu Mandal, a resident of Vastu Vihar, revealed that factory owners try to suppress farmers by forcing them to relinquish their land when they raise complaints. The farmers have faced repeated denials of accountability from the factory management, exacerbating their plight.
Despite attempts to engage with the factory representatives and seek clarification, the farmers’ grievances have been met with evasion and delay tactics. A meeting was convened at the Panchayat Bhavan, during which representatives from the ethanol plant, which houses the factory in question, denied any wrongdoing. However, the ongoing disturbances, such as persistent sound and vibrations emanating from the factory, continue to validate the concerns raised by the villagers.
Efforts to seek clarification and engage in dialogue with the factory management have been met with disappointment. On multiple occasions, attempts to meet the concerned individuals have been thwarted, and the factory has denied access to its premises, indicating a possible attempt to evade accountability.
As the situation unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the villagers’ allegations hold merit. Urgent intervention is required to address the grievances of the farmers, ensure adherence to environmental norms, and uphold the rights of the affected community.
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