BALANCING INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: A CASE STUDY OF POLLUTION MANAGEMENT AT UDAYAPUR CEMENT INDUSTRY, NEPAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/JISSI.v2.i1.2026.69Keywords:
Cement Industry, Environmental Pollution, Pollution Control, Sustainable Development, Udayapur Cement IndustryAbstract
The cement industry in Nepal is crucial for infrastructure development and economic growth, but its operations raise environmental concerns due to air pollution, dust emission and mining activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pollution management and the environmental effects of the Udayapur Cement Industry Limited (UCIL), Nepal, and to determine the ways of balancing industry development with environmental sustainability. Primary and secondary data sources were used and a qualitative case study approach was used. Primary data were gathered using site observation, semi-structured interviews with 10 plant officials and a survey of 20 local residents residing around the industry. Secondary data was collected from operational report, government environmental standards, policy documents and related literature. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data. The results indicated a number of serious operational deficiencies in the pollution control system such as the Electrostatic Precipitator chamber which was not operating, low maintenance and lack of continuous emission monitoring, which made it more dangerous for the environment. Mining operations were identified to produce large volumes of dust, noise and vibration which resulted in detrimental impacts to the surrounding ecosystems and communities. Residents complained of respiratory discomfort, eye irritation, loss in agriculture production, and concerns about contaminating their water. The study concludes that the following measures would be helpful to achieve environmentally responsible industrial development to operate the UCIL sustainably: Technological modernization, rigorous regulatory enforcement, frequent monitoring of the environment and enhanced community involvement.
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