The problem

The village of Nandesari (population 7,259) lies on the banks of the Mini River, a stone's throw from the city of Vadodara. Nandesari is in the middle of Gujarat's "Golden Corridor", a 400km belt of industrial estates that has helped make the state one of the most industrialized in the nation. Despite this, about two-thirds of the state's population still subsists on agriculture, tending crops like wheat, millet, and rice.

Current Activity

Site visited. This site should be further explored for remediation as it poses significant health risks to the population

Outcome

The “Golden Corridor” of industry in Gujarat hosts thousands of chemical, textiles petrochemicals, fertilizers and pharmaceutical industries. Highly polluted, and highly populous, the region faces a number of challenges at it begin to improve the lives of its inhabitants. Blacksmith has promoted the establishment of a stakeholders group, including all government agencies, NGOs and community representatives to examine specific sites, determine appropriate solutions, and initiate clean-up activity. So far the group has reviewed five sites and continues to expand its scope and to initiate change.