More than 50 per cent of the rice mills in Bargarh district are creating environment pollution in the district. Waste materials and water from the rice mills are diverted to open fields near the town which creates air pollution.
Both human beings and animals are affected and suffer from various diseases as they get exposed to the dirt. The Pollution Control Board, Sambalpur, has issued a show cause notice against Sherawali Rice Industry at Banipali under Bheden Block recently.
The Regional Officer, PCB, Sambalpur expressed utter concern over the garbage dumping by the rice mill. The mill was established in 2004.On October 27, the Central Inspection Co-ordination Group (CICG) led by Engineer Ramani Ranjan Dash had conducted a raid at the Sherawali Rice Mill and found that the miller had violated the pollution laws. The miller has been given 21days to respond.