Mercury poisoning has Sholakili, the pride of Kodaikanal, at risk
A study by Chennai Solidarity Group in August this year, showed that an estimated 100 kg of mercury has washed off into the eco-sensitive Pambar Shola forest in Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary triggering concern for wildlife and birds in the area. Originally published at The Federal: N Vinoth Kumar 05 October, 2021 Palani Hills, one of […]
Kodaikanal tree felling: 65 academics, ecologists write to CM Stalin against Unilever
Hindustan Unilever Ltd has clear-felled 425 trees as part of the remediation of mercury-contaminated soil in the four acres of its now-defunct factory in Kodaikanal, say activists. From The News Minute: Read Original Sreedevi Jayarajan Follow @Sreedevi_Jay on Twitter Sixty-five artists, educators, ecologists, and environmentalists have written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin urging the […]
Hindustan Unilever Limited goes off plan, fells 300 trees in Kodaikanal
Consumer goods giant Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has cut down over 300 trees inside its now-defunct thermometer factory that lies adjacent to the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary. By SV Krishna Chaitanya for The New Indian Express, 19th August 2021 https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/aug/19/hindustan-unilever-limitedgoes-off-plan-fells-300-trees-in-kodaikanal-2346689.html Unilever factory site in March 2018 Unilever factory site in January 2020 after the illegal cutting of […]
Unending fallout of defunct thermometer factory at Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu: The New Indian Express
CHENNAI: The three-month soil remediation trials carried out by Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in the now-defunct thermometer factory at Kodaikanal failed to achieve even the ‘liberal’ 20 mg/kg mercury clean-up standard. Environmentalists suspect that the trials may have liberated more mercury to the environment than was recovered. While the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and […]
Report shows elevated mercury levels outside HUL factory, claim activists
‘Elevated levels of mercury in a few samples taken outside the now defunct thermometer factory of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) in Kodaikanal’. The latest study conducted by the National Environment Engineering Institute (NEERI) has shown elevated levels of mercury in a few samples taken outside the now defunct thermometer factory of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) in Kodaikanal, […]
PCB chief promises steps to clear mercury waste
A panel of experts should be constituted to assess the pollution level in water bodies due to the release of mercury wastes by Hindustan Unilever’s thermometer factory and a committee, comprising former employees, NGOs and revenue officials, to monitor clearing of wastes as per the international standard were the demands raised by MLAs, former employees […]
Action sought against Hindustan Uniliver Ltd.
Demanding strong action against the Hindustan Unilever for the mercury contamination caused in Kodaikanal, the VCK, CPI (M) and MDMK on Monday wanted the State government to initiate a thorough study of the hill station to ascertain the extent of damage.
Jayalalithaa directs authorities to take action
Chennai: The prolonged fight for justice in Kodaikanal, which is contaminated with mercury by Hindustan Unilever, finally seems to be yielding results with the political class waking up and recognising the gravity of situation.
Panel unhappy over Kodaikanal re-mediation standards
‘Residential re-mediation standard not acceptable to site given its environment’ Members of the Local Area Environment Committee (LAEC) on Wednesday expressed their dissatisfaction over mercury re-mediation standards proposed by the Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) to clean up its thermometer factory site in Kodaikanal during a meeting called for by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board […]
HUL Push for New Standards of Clean-up Rejected by Local Area Environment Committee
CHENNAI: Could the move by Hindustan Unilever to bring down mercury level in the factory site to 20mg/kg pose no threat to to the ecologically sensitive watershed in Kodaikanal? The Local Area environment Committee says ‘No’ by rejecting the proposal mooted by Hindustan Unilever during a closed door meeting called up by Tamil Nadu Pollution […]
Sofia talks about Kodaikanal Won’t
Sofia Ashraf talks about her song Kodaikanal Won’t, the issue of mercury contamination in Kodaikanal and people’s suffering to Tamil News Channel, News 7
Kodai opposes mercury clean up standard proposed by Unilever
The Hindu – Aug 23, 2015 Disagreeing with the proposed clean up criteria Hindustan Unilever (HUL) wanted to adhere to for the remediation of its mercury-contaminated factory site in the hill station, the Chairman of the Kodaikanal Municipality has asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to set aside a Detailed Project Report (DPR) […]
The unending fallout of Unilever’s thermometer factory in Kodaikanal
A comprehensive feature by The Caravan documenting the sombre story of a mercury thermometer factory in Kodaikanal that raised hopes of jobs and dreams of the future, but has left behind misery in its wake. It also responds effectively to Unilever CEO’s comment on the need for facts and not false emotions. Read on Vantage […]
Mercury pollution victims seek justice: The Hindu
Exposure from HUL’s closed thermometer unit in Kodaikanal For E. Ramesh, it started off with headache, memory loss, skin and tooth infections. Exposure to deadly mercury for over four years has left him impotent, he says. “My wife had to undergo abortion eight times. There is constant pain in my left foot as the skin […]
Mercury Pollution-hit Kodai Unilever Ex-workers Protest at Firm’s Mumbai HQ: The New Indian Express
CHENNAI: Ex-workers affected due to mercury pollution by the Hindustan Unilever’s now-defunct thermometer factory in Kodaikanal, on Monday staged a protest at the company’s headquarters in Andheri, Mumbai, when the Annual General Meeting with shareholders was held. Supported by 30 volunteers from Mumbai, 11 families from Kodaikanal took part in the protest, holding placards and […]