India – Gujarat Stakeholders Group

The problem

The “golden corridor” of industrial activity in Gujarat extends from Vapi in the south to Ahmedabad in the north. There are over 50 industrial estates in this region, some housing over a thousand industries (including some chemical estates) and they can spread over a thousand acres. Although environment regulations are in place for these industries, there is a backlog of toxic waste that had been dumped (and in some cases continues to be) in open spaces around the estates. Previous stakeholder engagement at the level of individual projects evolved into a State-wide Stakeholder Group, involving the environmental authorities and industry association, which reviewed information on toxic waste problems in the corridor and advised on priorities for action.

Health impact

People are suffering skin ailments, respiratory problems, headaches.

Project Activity

Surveys have been conducted jointly by the members at Kharicut canal in Ahmedabad, River Mini at Nandesari, Amlakhadi at Ankleshwar, and Muthia village at Naroda, Ahmedabad.

Various recommendations were put forward by the members like demarcating industrial properties, conducting soil and water tests, and strict monitoring of industries especially during the night when industries release poisonous gases. The various stakeholders at Amlakhadi have also decided to work out a joint remediation project proposal at a legacy site at Ankleshwar Industrial Area.