The revival of the Konothupuzha is set to be a reality with various stakeholders coming up with practical solutions at a meeting chaired by District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla on Monday.
Mulanthuruthy panchayat president Renji Kurian demanded strict action against those dumping garbage into the river. He pledged a sum of ₹50 lakh from the panchayat for the river rejuvenation activities. A suggestion was also made to ensure public participation in conserving the river by promoting river visits and walks on its banks.
Collective efforts
Mr. Safirulla said successful rejuvenation of the river was greatly dependent on the collective efforts of Water Resources, Local Self-Government and Revenue Departments along with various people’s organisations, residents’ associations and clubs.
“The plan is to revive the 17-km stretch of the river, a strand of the Muvattupuzha river, which is stagnating with silt, water hyacinth, garbage, encroachment and unscientific constructions. This has led to loss of crop along its banks besides environmental issues.
The water is contaminated with lead and has acidity. Once as broad as 35 metres (up to 90 metres at certain stretches), the river has shrunk to a trickle at places now. It served water to crops cultivated over 3,500 acres, which has now come down to just about 877 acres,” a release in this regard said.
Baji Chandran, assistant executive engineer at Minor Irrigation Department, reviewed the project for the river’s revival. A wetland development report prepared by the Thripunithura municipality was handed over by chairperson Chandrika Devi to district panchayat president Asha Sanal.
Besides members of the district, block and village panchayats, district coordinator of Haritha Kerala Mission Sujith Karun and district planning officer Litty Mathew attended the meeting.
