| Environmental watch
by Kripa Shenoy
D In this day and age where environment pollution is very high, Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (MCF), the only large-scale fertilizer manufacturing plant in Karnataka situated at Panambur, has focussed on curbing this menace. They manufacture ammonia, urea, di-ammonium phosphate, ammonium bicarbonate and granulated fertilizer.
The Fertilizer Association of India accredited the company with the prestigious award for the “Improvement in Overall Performance of a company” for three consecutive years (1996-99). They are aware of the importance of ensuring minimum disturbance to ecology.
The company has taken all possible precautions to avoid problems of pollution. It has made an in depth study of the effluent treatment and disposal system in a number of chemical plants. It has also designed a suitable system in consultation with specialists in effluent treatment and allied engineering activities. Experts of the Karnataka State Board for Prevention and control of Water Pollution have scrutinized the arrangements for effluent treatment and the company has obtained their permission before discharge of effluent.
The company has also raised a social forest in about 25 acres of its land in order to use the treated plant effluents for irrigation.
MCF has gone beyond merely complying with the pollution norms and affirms that cleaner environment is in their own interest too. For the company, environment comes first and development later. |
