The SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors (SACEM) website is a joint project of The Other Media, Global Community Monitor and monitors from Eachangadu, Sangolikuppam and Semmankuppam, Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation and DEPORT.
In September 2004, SACEM published its first scientific report on ambient air quality in SIPCOT. The report was a first of its kind, not only because it was a scientific report by villagers, but also because it quantified toxic gases in ambient air – an exercise that no agency in India has undertaken till date. The report forms the basis for a Supreme Court order calling for the setting up of national standards for toxic gases in ambient air.
Involvement with other pollution-impacted communities in Kodaikanal and Mettur Dam in Tamilnadu, and Eloor and Edayar Industrial areas near Kochi, Kerala, is growing.
Among other things, CEM aims to inform and educate town and city residents about the plight of pollution-impacted communities, and mobilise their support for the struggle of such communities against pollution and polluters.
Activities carried out by SACEM:
a)Information and Organising Support: Alerting communities of proposals to set up polluting industries in their neighbourhoods, and offer them information and organising support to prevent the entry of environmentally destructive industries in their communities.
b)Environmental & Health Monitoring Skills Training: To build skills among pollution-impacted community representatives to monitor, document and communicate pollution and its effects to regulators and the general public, and take science-based action to eliminate pollution and hold polluters accountable;
c)Emergency Response Team: To set up teams of trained community youth in various pollution-impacted communities to provide first-aid, relief and disaster response, and facilitate legal follow-up for compensation and action against polluter in the event of industrial accidents;
d)Emergency Relief Fund: To set up a pool fund to provide immediate and interim relief to the survivors of industrial accidents;
e)Clean Livelihoods Program: Involving members of pollution-impacted communities – particularly women -- in the revitalisation of the local economy by equipping them with skills to pursue environmentally sustainable livelihood.
For more information about their activities, Contact them at:
Community Environmental Monitoring
C/o The Other Media
No 42 A, First Floor, 5th Avenue,
Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090
Tel: +91 44 24463763
Email: zerowastecuddalore@yahoo.com
Website: www.sipcotcuddalore.com
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