These worries has now been added a fresh danger threatening the most picturesque of the Northeastern states: toxic pollution, an outcome of the growing pharmaceutical industry in Sikkim, threatening its ecology and environment.

In Sikkim-based media as well as open source websites, fears about the long-term future of the state are being aired more strongly than ever before. Several NGOs and experts warn that the construction of hydropower generating units constitutes a severe threat to the highly sensitive seismic region. In addition, the gradual poisoning of water sources in parts of Nepal and Sikkim may end up destabilising the delicate ecological balance that exists now.

Adding to the worries of conservationists, recent earthquakes and landslides in the Sikkim-Darjeeling belt have caused far more damage than before. Worse, the growing intensity of the quakes and landslides, which often occur even 100 kilometres away from quake-prone zones as aftershocks continue, threaten the very survival of the communities affected.

Critical attention has been more focused on the downside of power generating schemes, involving the construction of long tunnels and deep shafts to install essential equipment, for reasons of the immediate impact of natural disasters. In comparison, there has been less attention on the mounting threat posed by the accumulation and disposal of untreated wastes from the pharmaceutical industry.

At one level, the story of Sikkim’s economic progress is also one in which the ever conflicting interests of growth/development and the much-needed conservation of nature is a running theme.

Thanks to its excellent climate, exquisite scenic beauty and the generous sops and tax breaks offered to pharmaceutical companies, Sikkim is already a chemical hub in the region. At least 14 major companies including major national and multinational firms —CIPLA, Sun Pharma, Zydus Cadila, Torrent and Unichem among them — have set up producing units in recent years. Some produce life-saving drugs.

Some units are quite impressive in size. One unit has a total area of 27.13 acres, of which the built-up segment accounts 16,555 square metres. Another unit employing nearly 1,000 workers produces 3.9 billion oral dosage medicines.

India is currently producing $15.4 billion worth of medicines for domestic consumption. This is expected to rise to $33 billion by 2020, according to Assocham sources.

There is no question that the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry has strengthened Sikkim’s economy, helped standards of living improve and ensured employment generation. Further, the rapidly growing industry has spawned a number of downstream SME units, which also contribute to local development apart from upgrading skill development.

The centre, whether ruled by the UPA or the NDA, has been very supportive of both public and private sector investment in the power generation and pharmaceutical sectors. Economic development of the NE (Northeast) region remains a core component in the Look East policy initiative launched by New Delhi.

The broad argument is that by integrating the NE’s economic development through such initiatives, there would be an improved bonding between the region and the rest of India. This is logically unexceptionable.

But now the question arises, at what price is this objective being achieved. NE media reports suggest that the reckless discharge of chemical wastes and toxic matter generated by these units has emerged as a menace downstream. Water sources, creeks and springs are getting polluted affecting marine as well as wildlife. There are complaints that neither the state Government nor the Pollution Board authorities are doing much to help improve the situation.
One report suggests that all precautionary norms are being flouted.

Such unchecked pollution affects local rivers and endangers subsoil water sources. Villagers in the affected areas complain that the quality of drinking water has suffered palpably. Some waste is dumped directly into the streams, it is alleged. Following local objections and protests in some areas, a few units have resorted to nighttime dumping.

In terms of volume and turnover, Sikkim has already put itself firmly on India’s pharmaceutical scenario. Daily at least 20 trucks loaded with medicines head out of Gangtok to Siliguri, while raw material for production arrives from Siliguri on the return leg, mostly sourced from Gujarat and Maharashtra. One big unit produces around Rs 30 crore worth of drugs each month.

There have been local allegations that heart ailments, pregnancy problems and diabetes have increased in parts of the state with the growth of pollution in recent years. However, there is as yet no medical study linking such trends with chemical pollution. (IPA Service)