Another massive fish kill in Periyar

KOCHI: When World Environment Day is observed on Monday, with the state government and various green groups and NGOs conducting a series of environment conservation programmes, pollution at the toxic hotspot of Eloor – Edayar remains unabated. Another massive fish kill occurred in River Periyar near Eloor, after a break. The death of fish was at the area where Thoombunkal thodu joins the river. According to Pollution Control Board officials, who took water samples from the area, depletion in dissolved oxygen in the river water can be the reason for the fish dying. The detailed lab report will be available only after a couple of days.

Municipal solid waste from the Kalamassery market, which flows into the river through Thoombunkal thodu or discharge from nearby industrial units or other commercial firms, might have depleted the dissolved oxygen in the river water, according to officials. Meanwhile, green activists alleged that the industrial units started discharging effluents into the river when the monsoon intensified and that increased the pollution level in Periyar.

“Shutters of the Pathalam regulator cum bridge were opened on Saturday and the effluents started flowing downstream. This is the reason for such a massive fish kill,” said Sakeer Hussain, a green activist of Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi. “It happens every year during the monsoon. Though there are several study reports and findings of expert agencies like NEERI, Greenpeace International and Central Pollution Control Board, no steps have been taken to permanently resolve the issue,” he added.