Residents of over 40 villages around Jahir Ammapalayam in Salem district have raised concerns about a proposed coloring park, fearing it will pollute their groundwater and local water bodies. This unrest culminated in a symbolic protest on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where villagers hoisted black flags outside their homes to express opposition to the development.
The integrated textile park, involving an investment of ₹880 crore and spanning 119 acres, has been under construction for the past eight months. The project plans to house 50 dyeing units along with a common effluent treatment plant (CETP), sparking allegations from locals that these developments threaten their environmental health. K.V. Suseendra Kumar, advisor of the Salem People Welfare Association, voiced strong grievances against the project, asserting that it proceeds without local consent and will adversely affect over 4,000 acres of agricultural land and critical drinking water sources. “This drinking water is supplied to the Salem Corporation, and its contamination would impact us all,” he stated. Kumar also highlighted health risks associated with effluents from the coloring park, which falls under the red category of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Amidst this turmoil, the Salem Yarn Colouring Park (SYCP) administration has refuted the allegations, claiming that the project is environmentally sustainable. In an official release, they described the SYCP as a “green project” poised to create about 15,000 jobs. They assured that cutting-edge technology would be utilized, including a ₹200 crore investment in a CETP capable of treating ten million liters per day with a commitment to zero liquid discharge (ZLD). According to the administration, the effluents generated will be treated on-site and reused, preventing any potential pollution from reaching the surrounding environment.
Furthermore, the administration emphasized that no borewells would be drilled for this project, opting instead to use two million liters of water from the Mankuttai Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). This measure is intended to ensure that 100% of the wastewater in the Thirumanimutharu river remains uncontaminated. If the project were to be halted, the SYCP administration warned that it could result in job losses for four to five lakh people involved in the textile industry and would negatively impact over 50,000 weavers in the region.
The situation is poised for further developments as ministers are scheduled to attend the inauguration of the administrative building for the coloring park on November 7, 2025. Kumar and other concerned residents are planning to confront the officials at this event, demanding an immediate cessation of all ongoing activities related to the project.
As the debate over the SYCP continues, the district administration and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) are set to monitor the project closely, aiming for Salem district to be recognized as the first area in the country to achieve 100% zero liquid discharge in a textile park.
This ongoing conflict reflects broader tensions between environmental concerns and economic development in a region heavily reliant on the textile industry. As these events unfold, the community remains vigilant, advocating for their health and the preservation of their local environment.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/villagers-oppose-yarn-colouring-park-in-salem/article70247997.ece
Category : Coimbatore
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Publish Date: 2025-11-06 19:18:00
