Ethanol Factories in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Spark Environmental and Health Concerns
Hyderabad, October 22, 2023 - In a stark warning against the unchecked proliferation of ethanol factories in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Babu Rao, a retired senior scientist, has voiced significant concerns over the government's ethanol policy. His critique focuses on the policy's environmental repercussions and its misleading promise of benefits to local farmers.
Residents of Nirmal district have been vocal in their opposition to an ethanol plant in Dilawarpur, citing severe health impacts. Anil Kumar, a local, mentioned that community protests have been ongoing due to the adverse health effects felt by the residents. Similarly, in Chittanur, Narayanpet district, locals were misled about the nature of an industrial project, expecting a rice mill and a jamun fruit garden, only to find an ethanol plant instead.
Murali C., another resident, highlighted the environmental degradation caused by the factory, which has been discharging approximately 20 lakh litres of wastewater into local streams, leading to the death of aquatic life and health issues among the populace. A particularly alarming incident involved a young boy who developed severe skin rashes after bathing in the contaminated water and required hospitalization for four days.
The situation escalated when the factory began disposing of chemical waste onto public roads, prompting protests from the community. The response from the authorities was a lathicharge on October 21, 2023, further intensifying local discontent.
Dr. Rao criticized the government's narrative that ethanol production would alleviate farmers' woes. "No ethanol company is buying rice directly from farmers," he stated, pointing out that instead, the government procures rice at subsidized rates, thus not providing farmers with viable selling options. He cited data from 2021-22, which indicated that only a small fraction of ethanol was produced from rice sourced through the Food Corporation of India, with the remainder coming from maize or spoiled grains.
Moreover, the environmental toll of ethanol production is significant. Dr. Rao warned about the release of harmful gases such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, which can cause immediate symptoms like eye, nose, and throat irritation, and long-term exposure could lead to severe health issues including cancer and respiratory diseases. He also raised concerns about the ecological impact of increasing maize cultivation for ethanol, potentially leading to land conversion and environmental unsustainability.
The implications of these developments necessitate a critical reassessment of the ethanol policy, focusing not only on economic benefits but also on its profound impacts on health, environment, and the sustainability of agricultural practices in the region. The local communities' struggles and Dr. Rao's insights underscore the urgent need for a balanced approach to industrial growth that safeguards both human health and ecological integrity.