14 ‘katha’ units using ammonia chilling plants illegally in state, reveals RTI plea

Many ‘katha’ manufacturing units in the state are using ammonia chilling plants in violation of the orders of the Forest Department. These factories are using ammonia chilling plants illegally, thus posing a threat to the lives of people residing in nearby areas.

This information was received from the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board on an application filed by environmental activist Sunil Kanotra under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The board stated that 14 ‘katha’ manufacturers in the state were using ammonia chilling plants illegally.

Kanotra told The Tribune that as per a government notification, ‘katha’ factories in the state could use only five tonne air conditioners and not ammonia chilling plants. “The government has restricted the use of ammonia chilling plants in ‘katha’ manufacturing to avoid pollution as ammonia gas is dangerous in case of leakage and can post a threat to the lives of people,” he added.

He said that restrictions had been imposed on the use of ammonia chilling plants so that ‘katha’ unit owners could not process excess ‘katha’ than the permitted quantity. The factories with ammonia chilling plants were processing excess ‘katha’ through illegally felled khair trees, he alleged.

Kanotra claimed that after receiving information under the RTI Act that ‘katha’ manufacturers were illegally running ammonia chilling plants, he had urged the officers concerned to take action. However, no action had been taken and instead he received threatening calls over his police complaint.

He said, “Katha is a valuable extract taken from khair trees. Khair trees are found in the forests of lower hills of Himachal. These trees are valued for the ‘katha’ extract found in their trunks. ‘Katha’ is traditionally used in ‘paan’ preparation in India and also for medical purposes. Many contractors are involved in collecting and selling khair trees to ‘katha’ manufacturers in Himachal and other states. Due to their commercial value, these trees are often illegally felled and smuggled in the state and outside. Most of the ‘katha’ manufacturing units in the state are located in Una and Kangra districts.”

Kanotra said that as per the information received under the RTI Act, only one of 24 ‘katha’ manufacturing units in the state had installed a sewage treatment plant (STP). He alleged that it was mandatory for ‘katha’ manufacturers in the state to install STPs. However, the officials concerned were turning a blind eye to the fact that the ‘katha’ manufacturers in the state had not installed STPs and were polluting water sources along which they were located.

Meanwhile, Director (Industries) Yunus Khan said that he had not received any complaint regarding the ‘katha’ manufacturers using ammonia chilling plants without permission. “If I receive a complaint, I will direct my department officials to take suitable action against the erring units,” he added.

Only one factory has installed STP

• The state Pollution Control Board has stated in response to an application filed by environmental activist Sunil Kanotra under the RTI Act that 14 ‘katha’ manufacturers in the state are using ammonia chilling plants illegally
• As per a government notification, ‘katha’ manufacturers in the state can use only five tonne air conditioners and not are not to use ammonia chilling plants
• Only one of 24 ‘katha’ factories in the state has installed a sewage treatment plant (STP), which is mandatory for them