Press release - October 23, 2003
TRIVANDRUM, India — Police arrested six Greenpeace activisits participating in a peaceful protest outside the residence of the Minister of State (Kerala) for Health, Mr. P Sankaran, in Thiruvananthapuram today. The activists had arrived at his residence with replicas of dead fish and buffalo carcasses and a banner that said “Save the Periyar”. Greenpeace activists were demanding that the Minister take immediate action to halt the ongoing tragedy at Eloor.
According to the health assessment study(1) conducted by
Greenpeace and medical experts(2) released in September 2003, there
is increased rate of cancer, bronchitis, asthma, congenital and
chromosomal aberrations, stomach ulcers and poisoning amongst the
residents of Eloor Industrial Estate caused by relentless release
of toxic effluents into the Periyar river by the chemical
industry.
Sanjiv Gopal, Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace India said, "We want
the Health Minister to act now in the interest of public health and
Periyar river. The Government has to immediately put in place
systems for medical rehabilitation of the affected people of Eloor
and push the chemical industry to ensure zero discharge of toxic
effluents on the river while ensuring 'clean production'(3) to
reverse the environmental and human health catastrophe".
For over four years now, Greenpeace India has been campaigning
with local groups in Kerala, investigating and exposing instances
of toxic pollution caused by industries in Eloor. As far back as
December 1999, Greenpeace science unit had released a scientific
analysis on the pollution caused by the Hindustan Insecticide Ltd.
at Eloor. Greenpeace also appointed a river-keeper, Mr. V J Jose,
last year to patrol and monitor the pollution levels on the river
Periyar. His findings establish high levels of toxic contamination
on the river.
Notes:
(1) "Status of Human Health At Eloor" - for executive summary
logon to http://www.greenpeaceindia.org/newsdetails.php?Id=161
(2) Medical Experts from Occupational Health and Safety Centre
-Mumbai, the Community Health Cell - Bangalore and medical advisors
from the National Institute of Mental Health and
Neurosciences-Bangalore and the St. Johns Medical
College-Bangalore.
(3) Clean Production - Production facilities deploying closed
loop systems which ensures zero discharge.
For more information:Priya Nayar, Media officer - 9845493688
Email id: 
For more information:Sanjiv Gopal, Toxic Campaigner -
08051154861
Email id: 