An unknowing victim of the industrial pollution in Patancheru
In response to a health study released on 26th October conducted
by Greenpeace in the Medak district of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Ashok
Chari, Sarpanch of the Khazipally village, has written a strong
letter to a number of public officials, including the Chief
Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the Health Director of AP, the Medak
District Collector and the Member Secretary of the AP Pollution
Control Board.
The findings of the "State of Community health at Medak
district", an epidemiological health study, reveal abnormally high
rates of pollution related illnesses like cancer, heart diseases,
asthma and bronchitis caused by the release of a multitude of
toxins into the environment by industries of Medak district. The
report was released to the community on the 26th of October 2004,
and copies delivered to various government offices, including those
of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the Health Director (AP),
the ministers of state for Agriculture and Industry, and APPCB. On
the basis of these results, Sarpanch Chari has demanded to know
what action the government proposes to take, in order to combat the
toxic contamination of his people's lives.
His letter quotes the results of the Greenpeace health survey -
"The study revealed shocking results, indicating the severity of
the diseases. All the leading newspapers have carried press release
and the study report" and demands "We want to know what measures
have been/will be taken by you (your regime/administration/
authorities concerned) about the aforementioned problem. We want a
reply from you within a month's time."
Sarpanch Chari has been 'in public service' for five years and
the sarpanch of the Khazipally village for the last three months.
During this time, he has seen how slowly the government machinery
moves in response to public demand. But nonetheless, he has immense
faith in the power of the community to effect change, and believes
that the results of this survey can shock the politicians into
responding.
"It took us 200 years to achieve independence from foreign
rule," he says philosophically, "and that was despite an organized
struggle. We've been demanding independence from pollution for the
past 38 years, though it has been a rather disorganized
struggle."
He is optimistic about the role Greenpeace will play in this
struggle too. "Considering the kind of organized resistance and
purity of action that Greenpeace is known for, I expect them to
take the corruption out of activism in our district," he adds,
"Once the entire community rallies together to defend themselves, I
see no reason why we will not succeed."
In the meantime, the government officials have one month to
respond, after which he promises to step up his community's
protest, and says they will not hesitate to move the High Court in
this matter.
Read the Sarpanch's Letter to the Chief Minister