Paradip: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has served notices on the member secretary of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and Jagatsinghpur Collector over the bright flames that appeared at about 130 mt high of IOCL’s oil refinery premises here, according a report.
Orissa POST in its April 21 edition carried a news item highlighting the adverse impact of the flame on the local eco system. On the basis of this report, an NGO moved the OHRC and the latter issued the notices.
The rights panel registered a case May 17 and asked OSPCB and the Collector to examine the hazardous effect of the flame and submit a report within four weeks.
Earlier, it was reported that the sky of Paradip town always remained bright during night and the nocturnal animals like, foxes, owls, birds and reptiles disappeared from the region after coming up of the refinery. Besides, the people of Trilochanpur, Govindpur, Mahal, Dhinkia and other areas were robbed of their sleep in night due to the sharp illumination. The heat generated by the flames at the top of the chimneys prevented the birds from flying at that height. The famous mangrove forest of national park in Bhitarkania, 57 km from the refinery site, came under threat.
OHRC, in its notice, has asked the respondents to examine all these aspects and file the report.
The Digboi oil refinery in Assam had the same effect on Kajiranga National Park. But a stiff resistance by the locals and environmentalists forced refinery authorities to put up a box around the fire that tames the brightness to a certain extent.
Meanwhile, locals waited for the explanation of the administration on the issue and the action of the rights panel in this direction.
PNN