Applied Research: Environmental Issues in Surat's Textile Sector

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the environmental challenges posed by the textile industry in Surat, India. It examines the industry's impact on the environment, including various forms of pollution like air, water, and land pollution. The report delves into the methodology used, which includes secondary data analysis from journals, articles, and government reports. It also includes a detailed literature review summarizing the contributions of various scholars and their findings on the subject. Furthermore, the report presents a SWOT analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the textile industry's environmental impact. The study aims to determine the problems, analyze actions taken by the industries and identify methods to minimize pollution, offering insights into sustainable practices and environmental protection within the textile sector. The report also discusses the compliance of the textile industry with various environmental laws. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for sustainable practices to mitigate pollution and safeguard the environment.

APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT
[AUTHOR NAME(S), FIRST M. LAST, OMIT TITLES AND DEGREES]
[INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION(S)]

Contents
List Figures...............................................................................................................................................2
List of Tables............................................................................................................................................2
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................4
Study Area...........................................................................................................................................6
METHODOLOGY...........................................................................................................................................6
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS......................................................................................................................21
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................25
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................26
List Figures
Figure 1: Process of Textile manufacturing.
List of Tables
Table 1: Summary of the contributions of scholars towards the topic of study.

ABSTRACT
The term environment is used while refereeing to the surrounding of the conditions that support
the operation and lives of individuals. Currently, the surrounding is under great effects following
the rapid increase in the industrial activities. Some of the commonly known impacts include
global warming and therefore to reduce the effect of global warming and to get rid of the
extreme impacts from the climatic changes, an investment in the environment is necessary This
paper presents a detailed study of the pollution effect generated by textile dyeing mills to the
surrounding and possible solution to the pollution problem. The major questions to be solved
relying to the protection of the environment include; what are the associated necessities to the
sustainability of the environment as well as control measure to pollution upheld by textile dyeing
mills? The project also include the study of compliancy of varied set laws mainly for controlling
pollution and how they relate to textile dyeing mills.

INTRODUCTION
The textile industry is considered to be one of the main industries in India with the contribution
of almost over 4% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).. This is equivalent to 20% of
the industrial production and almost 17% of the entire export earnings. In fact it has been
estimated that almost more than 40 million people in India are either directly or indirectly
employed in the industry of textile and clothing. This is almost close to the sector of the
agriculture. Textile industry in India has been regarded as the largest generator of the
employment (Chu 2016). Considering that the latest policy of textile focuses on the
maximization of the available resources as well as modernization with the intention to achieve a
lot in terms of being competitive in the economic sector, the sector will definitely experience
some shift in the pattern of the development. The ratio of textile to clothing had been maintained
at 50:50. However, this particular ratio is expected to change to 40:60 in the next 5 years to
come.

Figure 1: Process of Textile manufacturing (Chu 2016)
Several items and objects have been refered to when using the word environment. In fact it has
been used differently by people from different fields. The environment is known to have
significant impact on the development as well as growth of individuals. It has the capacity to
affect the behaviour of a person. This extends to the impact on the person’s heart, mind and
body. It is known to encompass the surrounding where we live in. This is the reason why several
efforts are being put in place in order to ensure that the environment is properly protected.
However, the industrialization processes has adversely affected the quality of various aspects of
the environment particularly in the developed and developing countries.

India is known for its vibrant textile industry particularly in Surat. This particular industry has
led to various forms of the environmental pollution in Surat. They include the following:
 Noise pollution
 Land pollution
 Air pollution
 Noise pollution
Study Area
Figure 1: showing the total area of Surat city and different textile industrial zone present in Surat.
Symbols are representing areas where textile industries are situated (Chu 2016).
METHODOLOGY
This particular study has utilized an approach of secondary data analysis through review of
various journals, articles, government reports, news articles and case studies. This implies that
the data which were subjected to the analysis already contained information related to the

environmental pollution in Surat due to the presence of the textile industry. The analysis of the
data has been qualitatively done while at same time focusing of the descriptive research design.
The research has deliberately ignored the aspect of funding and budgeting considering that the
focus was majorly on the secondary data analysis
Table 1: Summary of the contribution of scholars towards the topic of study
S. no. Author Title Finding Comment
1. Chu, E. (2016) “The political
economy of urban
climate adaptation
and development
planning in Surat,
India”
An investigation
was conducted
by a scholar to
examine the
effect industries
has on Tirupur
environment
mainly for the
purpose
determining the
magnitude of
water pollution
within Tirupur,
air quality
around Tirupur,
Town regions as
well as Torpor
industries does
not greatly
influence the
quality of air,
soil nutrient
content in
Torpor is not a
great deal
however there is
insufficient
supply of water,
noise pollution
also does not go

the degree of
noise pollution
and socio
economic effects
experienced in
Tirupur. The
scholar further
presented
control measures
to the tragedy of
pollution. This
was only after
conducting
various analyses
such as analysis
on soil, Analysis
on water by
sample
collection,
analysis on air
as well as socio
economic study
during and after
beyond the
locality of the
industry and at
the same time a
lot of people are
attracted to the
industry from
different places
following the
job
opportunities
created.

the research
activity.
Conclusions
were later on
drawn by the
scholar for
seepage of
effluent
alongside the
effect of dyes on
the quality of
water along
Noyau River.
2. Bansal (2018) “Flood-induced
economic loss and
damage to the
textile industry in
Surat City, India”
Another scholar
also made an
attempt of
studying all the
lawful aspects
related to
pollution of
water. A
detailed study
was installed by
The other
suggestion that
was made by the
scholar was to
create awareness
to the
individuals on
the negative
effects of
pollution and the

the scholar on
possible water
pollution
sources, all
water resources
and set laws for
controlling the
pollution of
water. Based on
the observations
made by the
scholar, he
concluded that
water as a
resource that
forms a greater
portion of
human life and
existence is not
of interest and
the pollution on
water is to great
magnitudes and
extreme impacts
on the lives of
individuals such
that if possible
they employ the
use of necessary
measures to
protect the
surrounding.

this pose to be a
threat to the
sufficient
availability of
the resource in
future. The
suggestions that
were presented
by the scholar
was a set of
principles by the
law of the land
and other
municipal
bodies to help
regulate the
pollution effect
on the
environment.
3. Bhat et al.2013 “Addressing
flooding in the
city of Surat
beyond its
A research work
that was
conducted by a
scholar
. Lastly, the
scholar drew a
conclusion that
following the

boundaries” regarding
pollution of air
and water
brought by
textile dyeing
industry is
presented in this
paper and the
conclusion that
was drawn by
the scholar was
that air and
water pollution
were as a result
of the various
chemicals color,
dyes and other
substances that
are applied by
the textile
dyeing industry.
The scholar also
made a study on
rapid increase in
urban population
and
development,
pollution is in
the bound to
increase only if
some
constructive
measures are
employed by the
government.

the technique of
sewage
treatment for
water
purification and
also
recommended
dyeing
technique
application
enabling
companies to
manufacture
garments of
varied designs
and of various
colors with no
effect on water
sources.
4. Naresh et
al.2013
“Microbial
Decolorization of
Disperse Textile
Dye Brown 21 by
Another scholar
also made an
attempt to
investigate
The scholar
concluded in his
paper work the
need of

Enterobacter
gergoviae Isolated
from Textile
Effluent”
pollution issues
within the
industries. This
study involved
all the possible
sources as well
as the pollution
effects resulting
from the policies
and planning of
the industry,
industrialization
processes, and
judicial control
for pollution
within the
industry,
charges and
subsidies
imposed on the
pollution among
others. The
conclusion that
promoting
recycling
techniques and
advice that
commerce
chamber of the
nation should
participate in the
matters to do
with
environment at
both the national
and state levels

was made by the
scholar based on
its study was
that, though
industrialization
is very vital for
development of
any nation, there
would be no
development
attained in any
given nation as
declared by the
scholar without
the effect of
industrial
development,
but pollution
effect of these
industries to the
environment
should be put
into

consideration.
He made
declaration on
the necessity of
possessing legal
control measures
for the pollution
caused by the
industries. The
set objective of
reducing
pollution levels
caused by
industries cannot
be achieved only
by the pollution
control board at
state level and
central level but
with an
inclusion of
rural level.
5. Patel & Vashi “Comparison of The generated The feasibility

(2013). naturally prepared
coagulants for
removal of cod
and color from
textile
wastewater”
waste water by
the textile
industry has
been rated as
one of the most
polluting among
all the sectors of
the of the
industries taking
into
consideration
the discharged
volume as well
as the
composition of
the effluent
treatment of the
waste water
from the textile
mills by the used
of the naturally
prepared
coagulants like
MSP, SSP and
Chitosan should
be embraced.
6. Desai (2013). “Medical Textiles:
Healthcare and
Hygiene
Products”
A crucial as well
as developing
part of the
industry of
textile is the
medical and
relevant in the
There is an
urgent need to
develop some of
the most cost-
effective ways
in order to
protect patients ,

healthcare as
well as hygiene
sectors
hospital staff
and the
environment as
a whole from the
invasion by the
viruses and
bacteria
7. Rizwana,
Darshan, &
Nilesh (2014)
“Phytoremediation
of Textile Waste
Water Using
Potential Wetland
Plant: Eco
Sustainable
Approach”
The author has
effectively
identified the
major challenges
in the industry
of the textile as
the production
of large volumes
of intensively
colored
wastewater.
An
environmental
protective
technique called
(Aquatic
Macrophytes
Treatment
Systems) should
be employed as
part of the
remedial
measures of
population
control
8. Sunudas, &
Prince (2013)
“Optimization of
Boiler Blowdown
The paper
identifies Surat
Steam is used as
a vcarrier of

and Blowdown
Heat Recovery in
Textile Sector”
as the main
textile
processing
industries in
India which uses
coal for the
steam generation
for the same
process.
energy for the
applications of
the processing
particularly in
the stages of
dyeing and
washing in all
textile industries
in Surat India.
There is need for
the proper
measures to be
laid down to
ensure that coal
does not
contribute to the
pollution of the
environment.
9. Hanlon (2015) “Necessity is the
Mother of
Invention: Input
Supplies and
Directed
The author has
identified the
significance of
the proper
infrastructure in
The concept of
the value
extraction
which are
usually

Technical
Change”
the facilitation
of the solid
waste
management
particularly in
the sector of the
textile
industries.
associated with
management of
waste should be
emphasized on
in Indian textile
industry. It is the
population
growth which
has led to the
depletion of the
resources
thereby leading
to the adoption
of this particular
technique.
10. Kumar et
al.2017.
“Challenges and
opportunities
associated with
waste
management in
India”
The author
identifies
management of
the solid waste
as the main
problem related
to the local
urban bodies
The paper
reviews the
barriers,
challenges and
opportunities
which are
related to the
improvement of

particularly in
Surat, India
the solid waste
as part of the
management in
Surat India.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Table 2: SWOT analysis
Strength
 The textile industry in India has
diverse fiber base as one among the
commonly known strengths.
 The country of India holds the second
position just after china in cotton
production overtaking the country of
USA. The country also hold the same
position in production of silk while
the largest in jute production and
holds position seven in wool
production all over the world. In
synthetic fiber production it holds
position four comprising of 12%
share in cellulosic and 6% share
Opportunities
 A strong domestic market on the front
of the domestic has been identified:
There is projection for the class of
consumers to grow to almost 500
million in the year 2020. As the
standards of living of this kind of the
young population, there will be an
increase in the need for the demands
in clothing. In fact in some aspect of
the estimation, the per capita
consumption of the fabrics will
increase from 19 in the current state
to 32 meters. This implies that there
will be an enormous growth scope of

production of polyester fiber globally.
All these grouped together rank the
country in the sixth position.
 The large technical proficiency
alongside the available labour which
is relatively cheap within the country
of India gives the country competitive
superiority.
 The country has more developed
spinning mills possible of creating
flexible production to cater for little
processes.
 The development of special chemical
industries and dyestuff is to the
desired standards with a strong Non-
Indian Origin for Multi-National
Companies (MNCs).
 The extensive and operational policy
set by the Government of India
provides support that is pictured in
aspects like Technology Up gradation
Fund Scheme (TUFS) that offers
reimbursements at the rate of 5% to
the sector of the clothing and textile
in the few years to come.
 There has been significant increase in
the use of the credit card significantly
by almost 26% per year in the
previous 5%. Also the growth rate of
the debit has been on the rate of 113%
in the last five years.
 The working female population has
increased significantly in India. The
class of people is estimated to be
about 53%. Their participation has
presented an increase of 6% since the
year 1991. This has presented
additional spending power for the
average household
 The occupation of the small spaces in
various semi-urban and urban areas
has significantly increased by more
than 2 million since the year 2009.

update the processing industries
together with a channelled subsidy at
the rate of 10%.
Weakness
 Garment formation, processing as
well as weaving are regarded as weak
links which though require some
modification to comply with the
current technology. The scheme
(TUFS) installed by the government
of India provides incentives necessary
for upgrading the weak links.
 Challenges that face the industry
include poor working behaviours that
result into low production.
 Fragmentation and the
decentralization challenges faced by
the industry gives no room for
enjoying the benefits of economies of
scale. Small clusters are therefore
established to augment the capacity of
collection of the units to acquire
Threats
 In the recent months, there has an
appreciation of the rupee value. This
has affected vary significantly
affected the earning from the external
trade leading to erosion of the profit
margin. The initiatives put in place by
the government of India such as
refund of levies and duties have not
been able to effectively contain the
incurred losses.
 The formation of the trade
partnerships and the trade blocks by
various countries while excluding
India has been working against the
interests of the business in the whole
country.
 Due to the location, India has been
adversely disadvantaged during the

orders from retailers globally.
 Development of textile industry in
India is not to the desired standards,
and for most cases, production of
garments and textile within the
country still rely on machinery at the
outskirts of the country.
 The country is associated with
extremely high Utility costs, i.e.,
costs of steam, water and electricity.
 Infrastructural development within
the country is also not efficient
resulting into transportation delays,
therefore it becomes hard to retain the
scheduled periods of delivery. The
aspect is very vital in relation to the
unbearable competition present
globally.
times of the transit since the key
markets are excessively long.
 There is no proper development of the
textile industry in India. This is the
reason why in most of the cases the
garment and textile production still
rely on the foreign machinery.
 The cost of the utility like electricity,
water and steam remain to be still
high.
 There is no proper development on
the infrastructure and this leads to the
regular wastage of time. This has
made it almost impossible for the
deliveries to be made on time. The
issue of the infrastructure is an
important aspect in consideration to
the global competition which has
been very stiff.
 There has been constant increase in
the number of buyers who demand for
very standardized and qualitative

products. This has further posed
challenges to the industry of the
textile in India in general.
CONCLUSION
It is of common knowledge that protection of the environment through conservation is of great
importance to the lives of individuals. Measures for protecting the environment include
regulation of business to lower the rates of emitting carbon and to limit the levels of pollution.
The notion of environment is generally used to refer to the surrounding and the state that support
the life of all (plants, human beings and animals) as well as their operation within their locality.
Presently, the ecosystem that we live in is adversely affected due to the high and rapid
industrialization processes. These include the effects of global warming on the environment, thus
eradicated the associated climatic change impacts and controlling the aspect of global warming;
a serious investment should be encouraged to the surrounding for the purpose of its protection.
It is generally known that it is more important to protect the surrounding by regulating the rate
of pollution. Laws are set to ensure that operation of industries and businesses does not result
into pollution of the environment to grater extents and to lower effluent water emission levels of
carbon. A lot of funds have been channeled to a system that ensures friendly sources of power to
the businesses and home steads. Protection of the environment has been identified to be the pillar
to enhance the sustainability of human beings.

Attempts have been employed to deploy renewable sources of energy in businesses and home
steads. Protecting the environment appeal to be very vital sustainability and of great concern for
the future nature of human lives. This elaborates the possible protection mechanisms to quality
of air, ecosystem sustainability as well as integrity of the available resources and developing an
interest and focus on the pollutants to the surrounding. The paper has comprehensively evaluated
various aspects of the pollution from the textile industry in Surat.
REFERENCES
Chu, E. (2016). The political economy of urban climate adaptation and development planning in
Surat, India. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 34(2), 281-298.

Bhat, G. K., Karanth, A., Dashora, L., & Rajasekar, U. (2013). Addressing flooding in the city of
Surat beyond its boundaries. Environment and Urbanization, 25(2), 429-441.
Naresh, B., Preethi, C., Sneha, S., Bhagyashree, R., & Parizad, P. (2013). Microbial
decolorization of disperse textile dye brown 21 by Enterobacter gergoviae isolated from
textile effluent. Int Res J Environ Sci, 2, 31-36.
Patel, H., & Vashi, R. T. (2013). Comparison of naturally prepared coagulants for removal of
COD and color from textile wastewater. Global NEST Journal, 15(4), 522-528.
Desai, A. A. (2013). Medical Textiles: Healthcare And Hygiene Products.
Rizwana, M., Darshan, M., & Nilesh, D. (2014). Phytoremediation of textile waste water using
potential wetland plant: Eco sustainable approach. International Journal of
Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 1(4), 130-138.
Sunudas, T., & Prince, M. G. (2013). Optimization of Boiler Blowdown and Blowdown Heat
Recovery in Textile Sector. Sunudas T Int. Journal of Engineering Research and
Applications3 1-36
Hanlon, W. W. (2015). Necessity is the mother of invention: Input supplies and Directed
Technical Change. Econometrica, 83(1), 67-100.
Kumar, S., Smith, S. R., Fowler, G., Velis, C., Kumar, S. J., Arya, S., ... & Cheeseman, C.
(2017). Challenges and opportunities associated with waste management in India. Royal
society open science, 4(3), 160764

Bansal, N. (2018, March). Industrial Development and Challenges of Water Pollution in Coastal
Areas: The Case of Surat, India. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental
Science (Vol. 120, No. 1, p. 012001). IOP Publishing.