India – Mini River Project

Sludge and sediments in the Mini River, which floods during the monsoon season, are highly contaminated with legacy heavy metals and other waste. The Mini River flows into the Mahi River, the second largest river in the state, directly upstream of the intake of water supply for the city of Baroda. Throughout the Nandesari Industrial Estate, there are estimated to be 10-15 illegally hazardous waste dumpsites, most in residential squatter areas. It is clear that some chemical plants within the estate were dumping to avoid fees at the hazardous waste disposal facility. A review of several illegal dumpsites proved the difficulty of finding the primary source of the waste itself and responsibility for cleanup is likely to fall on the state and on the community.