UK Tyres, Indian Tragedy: Toxic Profits & Poisoned Lives

Unmesh Gujarathi

Sprouts News Exclusive

In a disturbing revelation, the Sprouts Special Investigation Team has uncovered a dangerous environmental and health crisis unfolding in the Wada region of Maharashtra. Over 52 rubber pyrolysis plants operating across 11 villages in Wada taluka are burning thousands of imported tyres — many from the United Kingdom — and releasing toxic black smoke into the air, silently destroying lives, land, and lungs.

Villagers in Usur, Dinkarpada, Vadvali, Biloshi, Palsai, Sapna, Kirwali, Nehroli, Torane, Kon, and Konsai are living in constant fear. The thick, chemical-laced smoke from these plants has caused widespread respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, and in many cases, has turned fingernails and soles of feet black. Several villagers are now at high risk of cancer, while elderly residents suffer from chronic breathing disorders. The very act of living has become suffocating — quite literally.

India imports over 3 lakh waste tyres daily, under a central policy intended to recycle rubber for road construction. But Sprouts’ investigation has revealed that, instead of recycling, these tyres are being routed to unregulated pyrolysis plants in rural areas like Wada for quick profits.

These plants melt the tyres in oxygen-free environments at 500°C, using boiler systems similar to pressure cookers. The resulting oil is sold as industrial fuel, while steel is extracted and soot-like ‘carbon black’ is collected. If not handled with strict safety protocols, this process emits highly toxic gases, heavy metals, and carcinogenic particles into the air and water — exactly what’s happening in Wada.

Shockingly, none of these 52 plants have fire safety systems, environmental clearances, or even basic pollution control mechanisms. Locals allege that political and bureaucratic protection allows these units to operate freely despite their blatant violations.

Sprouts Team visited the farms of Rajesh Deshmukh, a retired man who had returned to Wada for peaceful organic farming. What he found instead was tragedy — his mango trees now wear a thick black coat of soot, solar panels are choked with dust, and water sources including wells and streams have turned murky and unfit for use. Many villagers now report stomach infections, skin allergies, and worsening of chronic conditions.

“Our fields are dying. Our water is poison. And our children are coughing all night,” said one distressed farmer, his voice cracking from both emotion and illness.

With no environmental clearance, no licenses from the forest department, and no accountability to the pollution control board, the question remains: who is shielding these hazardous units? Villagers are demanding immediate action, questioning why the government continues to turn a blind eye as their lives are slowly destroyed.

The situation in Wada is not just an environmental issue — it is a humanitarian disaster in the making.

Sprouts News urges the Maharashtra Government, Ministry of Environment, and AYUSH authorities to immediately:

•Suspend all illegal pyrolysis plants in Wada and surrounding regions

•Conduct a detailed environmental and medical impact assessment

•Provide free health screenings and treatment to affected villagers

•Ensure accountability for officials who allowed this disaster to unfold

Sprouts will continue to amplify the voices of Wada’s residents and expose those turning rural India into toxic dumping grounds for foreign waste — all for profit. This is not just pollution. It’s premeditated poisoning of innocent lives.