NGT panel to probe pollution of Edayar paddy fields

New expert committee to submit its report before May 31

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has appointed a four-member expert committee to ascertain the source of contamination of Edayattuchal and Chakkarachal paddy fields in Edayar. The committee will include a senior officer from the regional office of the Central Pollution Control Board in Bengaluru, a senior officer / scientist from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, a scientist having expertise in soil study from the department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, and a senior soil conservation officer from the Department of Soil Survey and Soil Conservation as nominated by its Director. The Bench comprising Justice K. Ramakrishnan and expert member K. Satyagopal issued the directive on the case pertaining to the allegation that effluents and hazardous waste from Edayar Zinc Ltd. (formerly Binani Zinc Ltd.) were responsible for the contamination of the paddy fields. The petitioner had said that the plant and machinery of the company, which is now shut, should not be allowed to be shifted before remitting its liability as per the ‘polluter pays principle’ for remediation of the affected sites.