Muttar river gets a lifeline

KOCHI: With the authorities turning a blind eye to the increasing pollution and eventual death of Muttar river, a tributary of river Periyar and a source of drinking water for thousands of people in Kochi and suburbs, a group of residents on its banks have come together to launch a rescue operation with the support of environmental experts.

‘Koottukudumbam’, a voluntary association comprising of 15 families in the area, has initiated a cleaning drive to revive a small stretch of the river that serves people in Aluva, Choornikkara, Kalamassery, Kadungaloor, Alangad, Cheranalloor and Varapuzha panchayats and parts of Kochi Corporation. The natives want the project to be extended and taken up by the authorities. “We have removed weeds and water hyacinths from the stretch to ensure smooth flow of water and waste other contaminants are being removed on a regular basis,” said V.S Shine, convener of Koottukudumbam.

“We’ve initiated the cleaning programme to create awareness among the public on the importance of conserving the river,” Mr Shine said. The cleaning drive is now being funded by members of Koottukudumbam. A group of environmental experts visited the cleaned stretch and appreciated the efforts. The green activists demanded immediate measures to prevent discharge of effluent from the small scale industrial estates along the banks of the river.

The remaining stretch of more than six kilometre of the river is filled with weeds. Though it is passing through bordering areas of Kochi Corporation, Eloor and Kalamassery municipalities, no civic body is keen on cleaning the water body. If the riverside road connecting Kunnumpuram to Kalamassery and Edappally Toll is developed, the scenic area can be made an eco tourism spot, according to local residents. “A proposal will be submitted to Hibi Eden MLA and Ebrahim Kunju MLA to revive the river,” added Mr Shine. A cleaning drive was taken up last year as per the instruction of district administration but it failed to gather momentum. It was also decided to chalk out a project for de-silting and deepening the river.