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New Delhi: India’s ethanol blending program is an ambitious initiative long touted as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel-based fuels to help save crude oil imports and curb car emissions. But the latest ground report by YouTuber Sarthak Goswami has once again raised discussions on the environmental effects of ethanol production in Byrnihat, a very industrialized town along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
The viral social media documentary is set in one of the most polluted cities in India, Byrnihat, and details the environmental woes of city dwellers living around industrial sites. One of the local major concerns mentioned in the report is pollution allegedly associated with ethanol manufacturing plants in the area. On his visit to the area, Goswami documented the heavy pollution in the industrial establishments with thick smoke coming out of the chimneys of factories, black soot falling from the leaves, the roofs, and fields depicting agricultural soil pollution, and the polluted water bodies. In the documentary, residents said air quality conditions are much worse since various industries, such as ethanol plants, have started coming to the region. A few residents also said they’ve noticed more and more diseases affecting the respiratory system or other health problems.
Among the most striking scenes in the film is when the people witness crops and greenery being shrouded with industrial dust, with long-term consequences for agriculture and food security being a major concern. Goswami also said it was a matter of concern that the environmental impact of the ethanol production is not properly addressed, and yet the fuel was touted as a fulfilling substitute for petrol fuel.
India has energetically increased ethanol production in the last few years as part of the ethanol blending policy, a measure designed to cut reliance on imported crude oil and emissions from cars. While ethanol-blended petrol is cleaner burning than conventional fuel, experts have often reiterated that production of ethanol largely results in environmental impacts that are linked to methods of manufacture, and if the by-products of production are treated properly. According to the documentary, ethanol plants produce lots of wastewater, called spent wash, that must be scientifically processed prior to its discharge. This waste may cause pollution if not taken care of, of the nearby water sources and crop areas. To offset many of the environmental advantages of ethanol as a transport fuel, the report says, rapid industrialization with poor pollution control potentially negates these gains.
The investigation of Goswami also reveals the special geographical location of Byrnihat. The town itself is hemmed in by hills, and pollutants can settle in the town at specific times based on the weather conditions, aggravating air quality issues in the neighborhoods surrounding the town. Previously, environmentalists have pointed out the tight-knit cluster of factories in the area, including alcohol and chemical, cement and steel plants, as major sources of pollution. Many citizens have been discussing the actions imposed by industrial emissions after the viral documentary came about, and have called for increased surveillance in the area and a more stringent enforcement of environmental laws. The report is testing an ethanol plant, but environmentalists point out that it is probable that Byrnihat has more than one polluting industry at work.
The issue has sparked a larger debate on the implementation of sustainable industrial operations within the overall context of clean energy targets. This sees the issue come back to the debate about sustainable industrial operation in the background of clean energy goals. The film also reminded us that ethanol will still have a significant role to play in lowering automobile emissions and boosting energy security, but only if ethanol production is responsible for reducing pollution levels. The video has become quite popular in social networks and has raised awareness of the need for more transparency, compliance with the environment, and regular monitoring of pollution in industrial activities in one of India’s most contaminated areas. It is unclear whether authorities will seek to investigate further, but it’s clear the report brings even more of a debate to a boil about the hidden environmental impact of ethanol production.
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