Pollution threat to Pampa

Perunad panchayat constructs pit latrines near bathing ghats on river bank

The pit latrines constructed on the banks of the Pampa near the temple ghats at Perunad in Ranni taluk.

The pit latrines constructed by the Perunad grama panchayat near the Pampa at Madamon in Ranni taluk are posing a pollution threat to the river.

The roof-less latrines are adjacent to the temple bathing ghats on the Pampa. Periodic heavy rain over the past two weeks is taking the faecal matter into the river. As many as eight latrines have been constructed in a row on the river bank.

The panchayat secretary told

The Hindu that the latrines had been constructed temporarily as part of an initiative of the local body to provide basic facility for Sabarimala pilgrims who camped at the Perunad Sastha temple during the Mandalam-Makaravilaku pilgrim season.

The secretary said the local body anticipated a considerable increase in the number of women pilgrims too in the wake of a recent Supreme Court order allowing women of all ages to Sabarimala.

Kerala River Protection Council leader V.N.Gopinatha Pillai alleged that violation of the pollution control rules by the local body was a matter of concern. The panchayat should have obtained clearance from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) before undertaking such projects.

Meanwhile, KSPCB district environmental engineer Alexander George said he was in receipt of a complaint regarding the pollution of the river from the pit latrines.

Inspection held

He said the KSPCB officials inspected the river banks and found the construction of the latrines was in violation of the rules.

Mr. George said he served a notice to the Perunad grama panchayat secretary on Wednesday, directing the local body to demolish the latrines at the earliest and submit a report to the board office in seven days.

The issue had been brought to the notice of the District Collector and the KSPCB Chairman too.