Periyar river sees fish kill again

Kochi: After a brief hiatus, massive fish kill has been reported in  Periyar river at Pathalam. Despite a  series of study reports and recommendations, the river still remains highly polluted with recurring fish kills.

Fishes started dying near the Pathalam regulator-cum-bridge on Wednesday morning and several local residents were seen collecting  fishes like pearl spot and shrimp.

Meanwhile, green activists alleged that the industrial units discharged  huge quantities of effluents to the river when the shutters of the regulator-cum-bridge were opened by 9 a.m.  on Wednesday. The irrigation department authorities said that shutters were  opened as the BPCL company informed that the presence of chloride in the river water had  increased beyond the permissible level.

Later, the authorities closed the shutters by 11 a.m. following the protest  by local residents who noticed effluents from industrial units flowing downstream in the river. The stinking odour from the floating toxic effluents was unbearable along the stretch from Pathalam bund to depot kadavu.

Though the matter was brought to the attention of officials,  including the Pollution Control Board office and tahsildar, no one turned up, alleged the residents. 

The PCB officials,  who collected fish samples for lab test,  denied that the fish death was due to effluent discharge from industries.