Periyar pollution does not worry candidates
Since January this year, nearly 20 instances of fish-kill and discolouration of the river were reported.
Kochi: Though the election campaign has picked up momentum, people’s issues like pollution, water scarcity and waste management are out of the radar of the candidates. The contestants in Ernakulam have paid scant regard to the grave issue of Periyar river pollution with recurring incidence of fish-kill and discolouration.
Since January this year, nearly 20 instances of fish-kill and discolouration of the river were reported. But the State Pollution Control Board and the district administration have failed to take concrete measures to find the source of the pollution and prevent it, allege environmental activists.
No candidate has visited the river where massive fish-kills occurred and there has been no discussion on the unchecked pollution of Periyar, the district’s major water source, alleged activists of Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi.
“The conservation of Periyar used by over 55 lakh people for drinking water has to be seriously debated in the election campaign. There are 46 local bodies through which the river passes. But they alone can’t initiate massive projects to save the river from its origin to the discharge points. There are over 10 government departments which also use the river, like Kerala Water Author-ity, Irrigation, Tourism, Forest and Industries. The candidates and parties must highlight proposals and hold discussions on conserving river,” said Dr. C. M Joy, green activist.