Minister for Excise and Labour T.P. Ramakrishnan on Sunday inaugurated the ₹1.75-crore dredging project to restore the natural water flow in Mampuzha that remained clogged with plastic bottles and non-degradable sediments. The project, which was proposed by the district panchayat responding pro-actively to the pleas of environmentalists, will cover nearly 10-kilometre stretch of the river between Kuttikkattoor and Kaduppini.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ramakrishnan said the Mampuzha conservation project was one of the examples to show the State government’s commitment to protecting natural water sources. Several such schemes had already been taken up with the participation of local communities to find a way out to the looming water scarcity in the State,” he pointed out.
Explaining the role of government functionaries in the efforts, the Minister said they should stand by the people and intervene in crucial issues related to the conservation of nature and environment. Across the State, water sources were facing pollution threats and it should be addressed through specific action plan, he said.
M.K. Raghavan, MP, who was the chief guest, said the dredging work, now limited to just 10 km, should be expanded in such a way to cover the whole 18-km stretch of the river. The environmental impact of conducting the dredging work in a limited stretch should be studied well to avoid complications in the future, he added.
District panchayat president Babu Parassery chaired the inaugural ceremony and explained the project details.
Project coordinators said the support of three grama panchayats - Peruvayal, Perumanna and Olavanna - would be ensured for the fast completion of the dredging work.
