Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu): The government on Thursday ordered a probe into the death of scores of cattle in Tirunelveli district allegedly due to toxic discharges from a nearby Coca-Cola bottling plant.
The plant is being operated by South India Bottling Company (P) Ltd. at its unit at Gangaikondan, 800-km south of Chennai.
Residents of the Rajapathi village near the plant alleged that the cattle had died after drinking the toxic water released from the plant.
Ramesh Babu, a local shepherd, said his sheep suffered from diarrhoea after it drank the water. "Cattle deaths are continuing even today in our village and I have lost sheep."
The mysterious deaths had triggered distress sale in the area, with brokers quoting just Rs.50 to Rs.150 a sheep.
District officials said a team comprising Animal Husbandry Department and Pollution Control Board officials had been sent to the village for an enquiry into the deaths.
Experts said post-mortem of the animals revealed the presence of some toxic element. But they were not sure about the source of the poison. They said viral and bluetongue disease could have caused the deaths.
Deputy Manager (Administration) of the plant S Kannan denied this saying the firm has the most modern effluent treatment plant in the beverage industry. "The company has not discharged any effluent outside its campus."
Former MLA and Convenor of Tamirabharani River and Groundwater Protection movement R Krishnan, who visited the village, said the reason for the deaths was the effluents from the plant.
A team of Food First Information and Action Network (FIAN) said the deaths were caused by drinking contaminated water. The team led by Esther Mariam of Wolfe of Switzerland said at least 400 sheep had died near the plant.
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