Karur farmers oppose setting up of CETPs, threaten to move out

Farmers here have threatened to give up their occupation and leave the district if the district administration allowed dyeing units to set up common effluent treatment plants (CETP) in and around Karur, which had an adverse impact on the environment.
"We have no other option but to move out of the district if the administration does not accept out demands," Karur District Farmers' Association President, M Ramalingam had mentioned in the memorandum submitted to the Karur District Collector yesterday.
He further said the association had been fighting for the strict implementation of zero-effluent discharge system by the dyeing units, since 2003.

But, it had not been adhered to by the dyeing units, he added.
Even those which claim zero-effluent dischargeseemed to be discharging effluents, the farmers alleged.
Three months back in Karuppampalayam area, government authorities tested the well water and found that it contained 8000 units of total dissolved salts (TDS), which affected the soil and ground water, they said.
"If this continues our livelihood will be paralysed," they rued.