Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Nov 30: The locals of Mukka, Sasihitlu and Mithrapatna are agitated with the three fish oil factories located at the surroundings of Sashihitlu which is causing health hazards, air, sound and water pollution.

Mukka Fish Meal and Seafood Industries Pvt Ltd, BAWA Fishmeal Industries and Bawa HKA and Sons are the three factories locals are pointing at for the health issues faced by the people in the vicinity.

Since several years, locals have been raising voice to inform people's representatives, police, the Pollution Control Board and concerned authorities to take action against the three factories but all efforts went in vain with no action. Srinivas Institute and Pavanje temple also complained against these factories, while the locals have appealed to the factory authorities.

The locals also informed environmental engineer Dayanand about the problems faced in the area, who replied that notice will be issued by the commissioner and health officer and action should be taken by the Pollution Control Board and assured to submit true facts before higher officers.

"We have been staying here for two years and it has become difficult to live here in the stink and noise all the time. We do not get proper sleep. Despite complaining, no action has been taken and only notices are issued. I feel they get information beforehand when someone arrives for inspection, they stop the production for a while and report in a manner that nothing as such is happening. They speak about promoting tourism in this region. When you do not have a proper environment to live, then how can you promote tourism? Tourists may never return if they visit once due to the stinking smell here,” said a family of retired Indian Air Force officer.

The three factories are surrounded with nearly 100 families who have been troubled with the stinking smell and polluted water leading to health issues.

The locals allege that the factories are operating in the residential areas with unbearable foul smell, malodorous and harmful smoke in the entire vicinity of 5 km radius 24 hours and seven days a week. Poisonous pungent chemical gases are emitted in the air, terrible dust, and black soot falls from chimneys on rooftops of houses, passers-by and people’s clothes.

Nonstop boisterous noise of machines running 24x7 disturbs the peace of the residential area even in the night. Locals cannot sleep properly due to the ear-deafening sound and foul smell.

Pests, crows, eagles and flies are always flying around eating the garbage and wastes from the factories and drop on the rooftops and walls of the residents' houses. All houses are full of flies and pests due to these polluting operations which contribute to unhygienic living conditions in the area.

Dirty water effluents are being released into the sea which has a hazardous impact on marine life and ecosystem. Trucks and large vehicles of these factories, carrying rotten smelling fish, and logs are parked on the roads of residential areas and beach side blocking movement of vehicles of locals and visitors.

The locals also urge to relocate these factories to the industrial area so that no public, residents – adults or children, visitors and tourists, coastal beaches and environment are impacted by the air, sound or water pollution caused from the operations of such factories.

Speaking to Daijiworld.com a local, Karthik said, "The three factories have created a lot of problems for the public. The contaminated water from the factory is released to the sea, a lot of noise and stinking smell throughout the day is the situation here. Due to this, we are not able to consume food. The vehicles coming to the factory block the roads of residential areas and spill waters on the road. We have approached the pollution board, deputy commissioner and people representatives but no action has been taken so far.”

"We have approached the company and complained, but it is of no use. Even Pavanje temple and Srinivas College too have complained about the same. Earlier, it was started with a small factory with no smell, now that the factory has extended with more production, the stinking smell has troubled the public," another local Doomappa Poojary said.

A resident Chidananda Poojary said, "We do not have any problem with the factory, but there has to be some systematic method to be followed, without troubling the public. If we walk in this lane, it makes our clothes stink. They should operate the factory without troubling the public."

"I stay beside the company. Production has been increased and rotten fish are used in this factory. My entire house stinks. Vehicles from Tamil Nadu and Kerala come to the factory spilling fish water on the roads. Political leaders do not care as they need votes and do not heed to people’s problems," another resident Vijay said.

A retired IAF officer, two years ago, had brought a new house facing the sea to witness the beautiful scenic beauty. But now the condition is such that there is no peace of mind to the families due to the smell and pollution despite having sea facing houses.

The locals also questioned the government and the corporation for permitting these factories to operate in the residential area.

When Daijiworld team visited the spot, the team felt the genuineness of the problems faced by the public, be it smell, noise and even noticed that contaminated water from the factory is released into the sea. On a visit to the house of a local resident, the entire house was stinking.