Panipat's Textile Industry Faces Crackdown Over Pollution and Health Risks
In Panipat, India, a major crackdown on polluting textile bleaching units has been ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), highlighting the severe environmental and health issues faced by workers in the region's thriving textile recycling industry.
Panipat, known as the 'City of Weavers', is a hub for textile recycling, processing around 1 million tons of waste annually and employing approximately 300,000 people. However, the industry's rapid growth has come at a significant environmental cost. Around 80% of wastewater from textile operations ends up untreated in the environment, with the Yamuna River bearing the brunt of the pollution. This untreated wastewater, along with heavy metal contamination in groundwater, has led to a severe health crisis. A survey revealed that 93% of households near textile operations reported serious health problems in the last five years. Neerma Devi, a 27-year-old worker, is among those suffering, experiencing shortness of breath, skin irritation, and a chronic cough due to constant dust exposure. Workers often inhale microfibers and chemicals without proper protection, putting them at risk of developing diseases like asthma or COPD. The NGT's decision to shut down 31 illegal bleaching plants in 2019 was a significant step towards curbing this pollution and promoting greener practices in the industry. However, enforcement of environmental regulations remains a challenge, with illegal operations often resurfacing under new names.
The textile recycling industry in Panipat provides livelihoods for thousands but also poses severe health and environmental risks. The NGT's 2019 order to shut down illegal bleaching plants was a crucial step in addressing these issues. However, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and improved worker safety measures are essential to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for Panipat's textile industry.
