: The Korayar, one among the major tributaries of Kerala’s second largest river Bharathapuzha, is facing imminent death largely owing to chemical contamination caused by a number of factories, including steel rerolling mills and iron smelting factories in the Kanjikode industrial area.
A large number of dead fishes were found floating in the river near the Arangottu Kulambu check-dam in the last one week. Other than chemical contamination, illegal sand-mining is also posing threat to the river, which once was the lifeline of the Walayar-Kanjikode belt.
Close to the Walayar forests, the river is the main source of drinking water for animals, including elephants in Walayar, Akkara and Anikkad forests. It also helps irrigate vast stretches of paddy fields in the region. “The check-dam at Arangottu Kulambu was built a few years ago to help irrigate agricultural fields in the locality. But, now the check-dam helps accumulate chemicals and other industrial wastes. The stink of dead fishes makes travel difficult through Narukampulli Bridge,” says environmental activist P.S. Panicker.
“I have given formal complaints to the District Collector and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests seeking their intervention. But no action has been taken so far. The polluters even include public sector companies in the region and liquor distilleries,” says S. Guruvayurappan, project officer of Wildlife Protection Society of India.
According to the local community, dumping of waste release into the river has been continuing unhindered for the last five years. “As per law, no harmful substance must be released into drinking water sources. Such criminal acts should be curbed by initiating strong action,’’ says Mr. Guruvayurappan. According to him, the river is the source of drinking water for about 400 Dalit and Adivasi families in the area.
“It was strong public agitation that resulted in the closure of a sponge iron company on the banks of the river that dumped sludge and other waste into the river. Now the pollution is severe.
Sand-miners are also exploting it,’’ said Mr. Panicker.
Sand-mining is carried out using pump sets to drain out the river water. Several truckloads of sand are taken from the river at Pudussery panchayat near here. Sand-mining has also destroyed aquatic life and resulted in the death of large quantity of river fish, adds Mr. Panicker. He said in many places, the deep ponds formed in the river due to mining have become a death trap for those who come to bathe in the river or cross to the other side.
Large number of dead fish found floating
Illegal sand-mining too posing threat
A large number of dead fishes were found floating in the river near the Arangottu Kulambu check-dam in the last one week.
