Faced with the challenging task of cleaning up Periyar, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is planning to bring all stakeholders together to develop an action plan for salvaging the river.
Representatives of researchers, industrial units located along the banks of the river, environmentalists and Non Governmental Organisations will be invited to discuss the recent report prepared by researchers of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on cleaning up the river, said K. Sajeevan, chairman, KSPCB.
A group of researchers from the university had recently submitted a report that suggested a slew of measures including the de-siltation of toxic sediments, introduction of bio-remediation measures and permanent management and monitoring measures for saving the river system. It was following the recurring fish kills in the river that the State government directed the Board to constitute an expert committee to look into the issue. The recommendations of the group would have to be considered as a base document, which could be improved with inputs from various stakeholders. Removal of sledge, as suggested by the committee, can be implemented only after detailed studies.
“If required, Environment Impact Assessment needs to be carried out for such works as the river is the major drinking water source for thousands of residents in the district,” he said.
“If the stakeholders feel that a detailed study is required, it would be carried out. The CUSAT team too had suggested a detailed study as they could collect data for two months,” he said.
Meanwhile, A. Latha, a river management expert, suggested improving the flow of water for saving the river.
“The flow of water in the river has come down drastically and the river has become stagnant in many parts. There is not enough water for maintaining the ecological flow of the river. It’s the case of most of the rivers of the State,” said Ms. Latha, the director of the River Research Centre, Chalakudi.
The reduced flow of water will affect the ecological functions of the river including its capability to flush away the pollutants. The issue aggravates during summer season when the demand for water goes up. “There is also no let up in the pollution,” she pointed out. “Ensuring the natural water flow in the river system can be the only solution for the issues faced by the Kerala rivers,” she said.
