A positive environment needed for plywood

How do you view the new orders given by NGT regarding resin manufacturing?

NGT has banned resin plants of more than four tonnes without prior Environment clearance. Plants prior to 2006 can work, but new plants will face problems.This order of NGT will affect the plywood industry to a great extent.

Because getting EC is a tough job. Therefore, NGT should permit every Plywood factory, to operate Resin kettle for captive consumption without EC. Obviously, with prescribed, restrictive Pollution Control norms.

People living near factories complain about pollution.

Every factory owner tries to work, not only regarding  controlling pollution, but also by following every guideline of the government. Because crores of rupees are spent to set up a unit. Along with this, a lot of hard work and time is also required. Industrialist does not business for disputes. Every industrialist wants to avoid disputes. Because no industrialist has so much time. He can either work or get into disputes.

That’s why units are usually set up far away from the population. Where there is no such industrial zone, there is an attempt to set up units in far-flung areas.

Now wherever a unit is set up, small shopkeepers and other workers come and start working (and residing) nearby. Which is essential in every factory.

Gradually, the population starts settling around the factory. After some time, when this population becomes quite large, then they start complaining about pollution and other types of complaints.

Now the factory operator finds himself into disputes with no choice.

What the factory owner should do in such circumstances? It is not possible for him to shift his unit every time to a place where there is no population. In such a situation, the only way out is to compromise mutually in these circumstances.

But many times people also complain for illegal extortion. They deliberately start making such allegations, which put the unit operator in a mess. Such attempts have also been made at many places.

How does it affect the work of industry?

The plywood industry in Yamunanagar is currently facing many challenges. The scarcity of raw material is not going to ease out very soon. There is shortage of labor. And now the hassles over pollution, overall it is becoming difficult to work. It leads to the migration of industries.

If even one unit migrates or closes, it affects everyone. Many people lose their jobs. The government revenue is affected. Farmers of agroforestry lose buyers of wood. The shopkeepers who are working nearby are affected. Transporters are affected.

What I mean to say is that. It is but natural that it affects everyone if any unit closes. It is becoming challenging to work in Yamunanagar at this time.

What is your opinion about pollution standards and guidelines?

Pollution and its impact have to be understood in broader sense. Black or white smoke coming out of the factory does not mean that it is adversely affecting the air and the environment.

Every industrialist takes all measures to prevent pollution from smoke by following every standard and guideline. Now it is understood generally, that normal black or white smoke pollutes the environment. That‘s why they start complaining. If we are running a factory, then we are also breathing the same air. There is no separate air for us.

Many times farmers alleges that their crops have been damaged. There is no such system to assess why the crop got damaged. It is easy to blame the unit.

To avoid tussles, many times industrialists give some compensation to the affected farmers. But it encourages blackmailers to become active. They start complaining repeatedly for illegal extortion.

How is the current environment in the industry?

The industrialists of Yamunanagar are very energetic and enthusiastic. That’s why this city has remained an important center of wood products despite many obstacles. And it has gained fame as the largest market of Asia.

This industry is facing many hurdles in recent past. Apart from the shortage of raw material, various government rules and regulations have slowed down the pace of the industry.

Due to the manifold increase in the cost of production, the development of the industry has been hampered. There is disappointment among the industrialists.

In such a situation, the industrialists moves to close the unit permanently or temporarily in disappointment.

In UP, plywood industrialists are not only being invited to set up units, but cheap land as well as other facilities are also being provided. The UP government is trying to promote theplywood industry. In these circumstances, if the industry migrates from Yamunanagar to Uttar Pradesh, then it is obvious that it will not only impact Yamunanagar but the economy of Haryana will also be affected.

 What the industry is doing to prevent pollution?

This fact should also be understood that the plywood industry is the only industry which is working towards increasing greenery. The industry emphasizes on planting trees. Agroforestry can be successful, only when the wood gets a proper market and buyer.

That’s why I believe that the plywood industry is positive towards increasing agroforestry. But this utility of the plywood industry is not being recognized. Imagine if the demand for wood grown in agroforestry decreases, then will there be plantation on such a large scale?

If there is no greenery then what will be the level of pollution? This fact should be understood. Only then can it be properly assessed, whether the plywood industry is reducing pollution or increasing it

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