Koppal: Horticultural crops are being damaged in several villages near Koppal in Karnataka amid escalating industrial pollution. The demand for fruits and vegetables remains high during the summer, fetching handsome income to farmers. But several sponge iron factories are being operated close to agricultural land, releasing dust, affecting crops, making air quality unhealthy, and damaging horticulture products. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has made it clear that pollution levels are rising due to factories’ proximity to villages. But no strong action has been taken yet to overcome the situation.
Numerous villages like Allanagar, Halavarthy, Hosalli, Bevinahalli, Ginigera, and so on are badly affected, ruining fruits such as papaya, banana, lemon, mango, and watermelon. The quality of these fruits has been deteriorating. Therefore, farmers have to toil hard in selling them in local markets. Traders are not taking interest in purchasing low-quality fruits.
Mahesh Patil, a farmer from Vadnal village near the Tungabhadra River, says, “We have enough water, but the dust from factories is damaging our crops. We are also suffering from respiratory problems and knee pain. We don’t want money from the factories; we just want them to control the dust.”
According to MLC Hemalatha Nayak, official records show that there are 202 factories in Koppal taluk. Some sponge iron units have been ordered to shut down due to pollution violations, but the orders have not been enforced. Farmers and villagers have been complaining for over ten years, but authorities have failed to take effective steps.
Experts believe that it is better to sprinkle water for reducing dust on crops. But all farmers don’t have enough money to afford such a solution. Dust and smoke affect photosynthesis, leading to lower yields.
