Our water resources (rivers, lakes, groundwater) are poisoned
irreversibly, with the chemicals showing up in breast milk and
human blood too. Entire eco-systems and the species dependent on
them are under threat because of the uncontrolled release of
chemical waste and effluents in our water bodies.
Greenpeace, independent scientists and civil society groups have
presented enough instances of toxic chemical pollution and its
impacts on human health and our environment.
The World Water Day rally will be led by the feisty women of
Bhopal, survivors of the world's worst industrial disaster, who 20
years later are still battling for provision of clean drinking
water. They will be joined by people from other communities
campaigning against similar challenges: The Kodaikanal community,
impacted by the mercury poisoning of their pristine hill forests, a
sensitive water-shed area, polluted due to the malpractices at
Hindustan Lever's thermometer factory; The community of Eloor
living by the river Periyar in God's own country, marred by the
environmental havoc caused by the unregulated industries of the
Eloor Industrial estate; People from Patancheru, where lakes have
borne the brunt of chemical poisoning from the Medak Industrial
Estate; and fisher-folks of Orissa, who are literally stuck between
hell and high water, trapped between Oswal Chemicals and the
poisoned sea-inlets.
The Honourable Supreme Court of India has repeatedly ordered
closure of these factories and similar polluting behemoths across
the country; it has even appointed a monitoring committee (SCMC) to
ensure that its orders are followed and remediation measures are in
place. But unfortunately nothing has changed because of the lack of
political will, and corruption in the highest offices of the state
and central government. Which is why these communities are putting
out a clarion call, a challenge -
Bahut ho gaya! Rhomba achhu! Jagirindi chalu! Khup zhal! Bahu thai gayu! Mathiye mathi! Enough is Enough!
TAKE ACTION NOW!
We are demanding that the Government should take immediate action and
· Shut down Polluting Factories that are violating Supreme
Court's directives on hazardous waste management.
· Rehabilitate and Remediate pollution impacted workers,
communities and environment.
· Invest in Clean Production practices.
· Make Corporations Accountable.
· Revamp the Pollution Control Boards both at the centre and the
state level.
We appeal to you to join us at this rally and make it a success
because we have had enough of rhetoric and demand action.
Participating organisations include:
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karamchari Sangh, Bhopal Gas
Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal Ki Awaz, Bhopal Group
for Information and Action, Ponds Hindustan Lever Ltd. Ex Mercury
Employees Welfare Association, Periyar Mallikarana Viruddha Samiti,
Jainikiya Vedi, Peoples' Union for Civil Liberties, United Artists'
Association, Orissa Traditional Fishworkers Union, Samudram,
Patancheru Anti-Pollution Committee, Gandigudam Youth Group and
other representatives from all these communities.
Read BAHUT HO GAYA - A Briefing Paper
For more details contact:
Bidhan Chandra Singh, Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace India.
+919845535405 
Namrata Chowdhary, Media Officer, Greenpeace India.
+919810850092
Greenpeace
India
Note 1
World Water Day Rally:
DATE: 22nd March 2005 TIME: 10 am
Route of Rally: Ranjit
Singh Flyover to Parliament Street, via Janpath and Jantar
Mantar
Note 2:
Interviews can be arranged for in the following languages:
Hindi
Tamil
Telugu
Malayalam
Oriya
Bengali
English