Coca-Cola in India accused of leaving farms parched and land poisoned

[Emillereid]

Paul Brown, environment correspondent
Friday July 25, 2003
The Guardian

The largest Coca-Cola plant in India is being accused of putting thousands of farmers out of work by draining the water that feeds their wells, and poisoning the land with waste sludge that the company claims is fertiliser.

The plant in the southern state of Kerala is designed to satisfy the demand for Coke in what has become the multinational company's fastest growing market.

But its huge demand for water is causing such damage to the local economy that the village council which had granted the company a licence to operate is now demanding the plant's closure.

So desperate have the nearest villagers become for water since their wells dried up that Coca-Cola sends water tankers round every morning to supply minimum needs. ...

Coca-cola -- nothing could be more American. The Indians have no water, let them drink coke!

[study_war_no_more]

1. with the co0lumbia boycott

this will teach the world to sing in perfect harmony, something by Nirvana most likely.

[NJCher]

2. what;'s the matter with these people?

Can't they just buy bottled water?

(/sarcasm)




Cher

[Mika]

3. Where's the link?

Please post the link to this story.

Thanks

[derby378]

4. Here's the Guardian link

http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,12559,1005564,00.html

There's also a related link from Independent (UK):

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/story.jsp?story=427327

[Generic Other]

5. Just spread the little rumor

that essence of cow is part of coke's secret recipe, stand back and watch the plant be torn apart by a furious mob.

[sam sarrha]

6. there are HUGE 'La Rourche' type projects in India to move water...

..across the country, and in China. I was listening to NPR on New Dementions about huge water projects to steal water form one part of India to sell in another, in 200 meter canals across india... devistating the agricultural areas and rural peoples for corperate profit, the true face of Globalism..or as Swami Baba Combs has said, "selling water by where the river used to be"

[AntiCoup2K4]

7. I see the Pepsi propaganda department has been busy today...

:eyes:

[T_i_B]

8. Related thread!

Murky goings on with Columbian coke!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=31568&mesg_id=31568&page=