The discovery of over 100 bags of toxic solid waste buried in an agricultural land near Chennimalai has shocked the farming community and environmental activists.

A team of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials conducted a surprise check in a textile processing unit near Chennimalai following complaints from the public and found huge amount of solid waste generated in the unit had been buried deep in a nearby agricultural land. Officials found several bags of toxic, untreated solid waste buried in the land and excavated over 100 bags from the land.

Residential areas covered by blanket of smoke for five days

Vendipalayam and many other residential areas near the town are covered by a blanket of smoke for the past five days as heaps of garbage dumped in the Erode Corporation's yard continue to burn. A major fire broke out in the yard in Vendipalayam last Sunday night. The flames spread quickly to most parts of the yard despite the efforts made by the fire and rescue services personnel along with workers from the civic body to put out the fire.

Landlords who let out space will also be punished

The district co-ordination committee, which was established based on the Madras High Court order to monitor the polluting industrial units, has decided to initiate criminal action against the owners of illegal textile processing units and those providing lands on rent to set up such units. The Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) have been directed to file a complaint with the police against the owners of the units and the landlords.

Those providing lands on rent to such units will also be punished

The district co-ordination committee, which was established based on the Madras High Court order to monitor the polluting industrial units, has decided to initiate criminal action against the owners of illegal textile processing units and those providing lands on rent to set up such units.

Erode Corporation has completed preparation of a detailed project report for its ambitious Uratchikottai Water Supply scheme with the cost estimated to be Rs. 407 crore.

The civic body will implement the scheme with funds from Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) with assistance from German Development Bank (KfW).

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has demolished a total of 11 textile processing units operated illegally in different parts of the Erode block during the last seven days.

The board, along with the Revenue Department, re-launched the drive against the polluting textile processing and tannery units in the district following widespread complaints from the farmers and residents on the increasing levels of pollution in water sources.

Forest Department has identified core and buffer zones

The proposal for the creation of a tiger reserve in Sathyamangalam forests has reached an advanced stage and is expected to land in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval by the end of January 2012.

The proposal for the creation of a tiger reserve in Sathyamangalam forests has reached an advanced stage and is expected to land in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval by the end of January 2012.

The Forest Department has completed identifying the core and buffer zones for the tiger reserve, a significant step before the creation of an exclusive protection zone for the big cats.

Over 30 unapproved textile processing units demolished

Continuing the drive against polluting industrial units, the district administration had demolished a little over 30 unapproved textile processing units in Erode and its suburbs in the last seven days. Three unapproved units were demolished on Thursday. The unapproved textile processing units had turned out to be a menace as they were discharging thousands of gallons of untreated, toxic effluents into water sources, including rivers, causing extensive damage to the environment and the farming sector.

There appears to be no end in sight for the pollution problems created by the textile processing and tannery units for the beleaguered farming community in Erode district.

The textile and leather processing units, which had avoided the discharge of untreated effluents following strict monitoring from the administration till a few weeks ago, are now enjoying a free rein. The local body poll has presented the much-needed opportunity for these units.