OneWorld.net (U.S.)

The study entitled “Restoring Daurala: Mitigating Industrial Pollution- A paper on corporate responsibility” is a documentation of best practice in northern India, where the findings of a study on the disastrous consequences of industrialization has led to the industry taking corrective action and renewal. After all, this must be the objective of any research or a study.

The town of Daurala located in Western Uttar Pradesh, became notorious in September 2005 following the release of Daurala: Hell on Earth– a paper on Industrial pollution by Meerut based NGO Janhit Foundation. This study exposed the environmental degradation and contamination of drinking water supplies that resulted in severe costs to the health and lives of the Daurala population. Local industrial group DCM Shriram Industries Ltd., were identified as a key source of environmental contamination.

The ‘Daurala: Hell on Earth’ report concluded with a set of clear recommendations for immediate action. Sustained efforts of the Foundation paid off when DCM Sriram Industries Ltd. owned up to their accountability to the local population and came forward in partnership to rejuvenate the ecosystem and safeguard human lives and health.

The current study revisits Daurala town and DCM Sriram Industries Ltd to identify where, and to what extent, the recommendations of the Janhit Foundation's Septemer 2005 report have been implemented. It reveals that as a direct result of the intervention, DCM Shriram Industries Ltd., have embraced their corporate responsibility for the welfare of the Daurala town population and have acknowledged the "polluter pays" principle.

According to Anil Rana, director of Janhit Foundation, “The debate between environment and development is decades old. An industry gives employment to the community and helps in the overall development process of the area. They must remain in operation but should also understand their responsibility towards the delicate issue of disturbance of the ecology, adverse impacts on environment and violation of human right to health. If the surrounding habitat of the industry is not safe, the industry itself is bound to be adversely affected.”

Substantial measures have been enacted towards the provision of safe drinking water and medical facilities. Management of industrial wastes is undertaken so as to reduce the risk of environmental pollution. At the same time the report highlights that there is more to do in terms of regular environmental monitoring by DCM Industries Ltd., the failure of the relevant government authorities to meet their statutory and moral obligations towards the protection of the environment as well as the human rights of the Daurala population. It categorically states that it is the apathy of the government authorities that limits the environmental and social improvements necessary at Daurala.

Rana adds, “The civil society organisations and the people from various movements are aware of the hell on earth which Daurala was, but the million dollar question is that - Are the government departments still unaware of the plight of the people in Daurala? The media has done a wonderful job by highlighting this burning environmental problem, but the concerned government departments have not even made a blue print to find sustainable solutions to this problem and turned a blind eye to the violation of human right to water of the innocent community.” According to Rana,“The Daurala Study is an example of ‘Making a Difference’.

To read the complete report, click below.