The world of fashion is synonymous with style, glamour, and creativity. However, there is a hidden cost behind the glitz and glamour – the social and environmental impact of the industry. Recently, Filming Indo had the privilege of working as a fixer for SKY ITALIA’s investigative documentary titled ‘JUNK – Armadi Pieni.’ This powerful docuseries delves deep into the dark underbelly of the fashion industry, exploring its detrimental effects on India’s textile waste, cotton farming, and environmental pollution. This article provides an insight into Filming Indo’s work in researching, fixing locations, obtaining permissions, arranging interviews, and managing logistics and accommodations in Delhi, Panipat, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO – https://video.sky.it/news/mondo/video/junk-armadi-pieni-india-835133?fbclid=IwAR2nhrP_Vwm9AFnJVXsi1KbAC3IPalcLd3PPh-LpiEPVadF2iqDdbx6delo

Researching the Fashion Industry’s Impact:

Before embarking on the documentary production, Filming Indo collaborated closely with the SKY ITALIA team to research and understand the social and environmental consequences of the fashion industry. The documentary shed light on the alarming textile waste generated by the industry and its adverse effects on the environment. Additionally, it focused on the plight of cotton farmers in Northern India, who faced challenges such as Ballworm and Pink Bollworm infestations, issues with genetically modified BT Cotton, heavy pesticide usage, and its impact on their livelihoods.

Fixing Locations and Obtaining Permissions:

Filming Indo played a crucial role in identifying and securing appropriate locations for the documentary shoot. The team meticulously scouted textile landfills, cotton farms, and regions affected by the fashion industry’s pollution. Simultaneously, they navigated the bureaucratic processes to obtain the necessary permissions and clearances, ensuring a smooth and legally compliant production.

Arranging Interviews with Key Stakeholders:

To provide a comprehensive perspective on the fashion industry’s impact, Filming Indo arranged interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders. Activist Matteo Ward traveled to India to witness firsthand the textile waste crisis and its consequences. Interviews were conducted with cotton farmers, environmental activists, industry experts, and affected communities, amplifying their voices and shedding light on the human stories behind the issues.

Managing Logistics and Accommodations:

Filming Indo excelled in managing the intricate logistics and accommodations for the entire crew throughout the documentary production. From transportation arrangements to equipment rentals, they ensured a seamless experience for the SKY ITALIA team. Additionally, they organized comfortable accommodations, enabling the crew to focus on their work and immerse themselves in the stories they were documenting.

Challenges and Revelations:

The journey of Filming Indo was not without its challenges. They confronted the harsh realities faced by cotton farmers, witnessed the devastating consequences of the fashion industry’s pollution, and navigated the complex web of stakeholders involved. Through their work, Filming Indo revealed the systemic issues plaguing the fashion industry and brought attention to the urgent need for sustainable and ethical practices.

Conclusion:

Filming Indo’s collaboration with SKY ITALIA on the investigative documentary ‘JUNK – Armadi Pieni’ has shed light on the social and environmental impact of the fashion industry in India. By working tirelessly as fixers, they have contributed to uncovering the dark side of fast fashion, including textile waste, the struggles of cotton farmers, and environmental pollution. This thought-provoking docuseries serves as a wake-up call, urging the industry and consumers to prioritize sustainable and ethical practices for a more responsible fashion future.

Through their dedication and behind-the-scenes work, Filming Indo has given a voice to those affected by the fashion industry’s detrimental practices. Their collaboration with SKY ITALIA has brought awareness to global audiences, inspiring.

The textile manufacturing industry is a significant contributor to India’s economy, employing millions of people and accounting for a substantial share of the country’s exports. India is the world’s second-largest textile manufacturer and exporter after China. The industry contributes around 7% to India’s GDP and employs over 45 million people, making it one of the largest employers in the country.

The Indian textile industry produces a wide range of products, including cotton and synthetic fabrics, apparel, home textiles, technical textiles, and accessories. The industry caters to both domestic and international markets. The major textile manufacturing hubs in India are located in states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab. These regions have well-established supply chains and infrastructure, which support the industry’s growth.

Textile manufacturing is a significant industry in India, but it is also a major contributor to pollution. Some examples of pollution caused by textile manufacturing in India include:

Water pollution: Textile manufacturing requires large amounts of water for dyeing, printing, and finishing processes. However, the wastewater generated by these processes contains harmful chemicals and heavy metals, which can contaminate water bodies. The discharge of untreated effluents from textile mills is a major cause of water pollution in India.

Tirupur Dyeing Industry releasing chemical in Water Bodies:

The Tirupur dyeing industry in Tamil Nadu is one of the major textile manufacturing hubs in India. However, the untreated effluents from dyeing units have severely contaminated the Noyyal river and other water bodies in the region. The pollution has led to the death of aquatic life and affected the health of local communities that rely on the river for their livelihoods.

Air pollution: Textile manufacturing also generates air pollution, particularly during the spinning and weaving processes. The use of coal and other fossil fuels to power the machinery produces emissions such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to air pollution.

Ludhiana Textile Units Using Coal & Fossil Fuels:

The textile manufacturing units in Ludhiana, Punjab, are known to generate high levels of air pollution due to the use of coal and other fossil fuels. The air quality in Ludhiana is classified as “severely polluted” due to the emissions from textile mills and other industries.

Soil pollution: The disposal of hazardous wastes generated by textile manufacturing can contaminate the soil and pose a risk to public health and the environment. For example, the dumping of textile wastes in landfills can leach chemicals and heavy metals into the soil, polluting groundwater and affecting the health of nearby communities.

Dumping of textile waste in landfills in Delhi:

The dumping of textile waste in landfills is a significant source of soil pollution in India. For example, the Mandoli landfill site in Delhi, which receives large amounts of textile waste from the city’s factories, has been found to contain high levels of lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals. The contamination has led to the closure of nearby farms and affected the health of local residents.

Noise Pollution: Textile mills and factories are often noisy, with machinery producing high levels of noise that can affect the health and well-being of workers and nearby residents.

Textiles Mills of Solapur causing hearing loss:

The textile mills in Solapur, Maharashtra, are known to produce high levels of noise pollution, which has affected the health and well-being of workers and nearby residents. The mills operate for long hours, and the noise levels can reach up to 90 decibels, causing hearing loss and other health problems.

Occupational health hazards: Textile workers are often exposed to hazardous chemicals and substances, which can cause respiratory problems, skin diseases, and other health issues. The use of dyes, solvents, and other chemicals in textile manufacturing poses a significant risk to worker health and safety.

Textile Workers in Tirupur exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals:

Workers in the textile industry are often exposed to hazardous chemicals and substances. For instance, a study by the Center for Science and Environment found that textile workers in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, were exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and nonylphenol ethoxylates, which can cause respiratory problems, skin diseases, and other health issues.

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FILM IN INDIA

If you are in search of Journalist, researcher, Indian coordinator, fixer, documentary film maker or Line Producer to cover any specific stories in India, your search ends here. We at Filming Indo delivers all types of services to our International clients as mentioned above. We promise you to arrange everything on your behalf from interview scheduling, Public Relations to Locations management and logistics. You can leave everything on us. You have to just come to India and shoot your project. Even, if you can not come to India, we can shoot and deliver raw audio-visual footage recorded on best HD cameras to you in timely manner.

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Tag: pollution