Greens divided on Periyar cause

KOCHI: Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi (PMVS) has strongly opposed the demand of a newly formed green group, Collective for Right to Live (CORAL), to shut all red category industries along River Periyar. Though PMVS activists support the other demands of CORAL, they don’t find favour with the idea of closing down industrial units. Purushan Eloor, the research coordinator of PMVS, said for the last more than 25 years, residents of Eloor and Edayar are demanding strict action to contain the industrial pollution in the area. But their closure is not the solution.

"Forcing the industry managements to operate in compliance with the norms is what needed," he told DC. "If the units are closed, it will result in a graver pollution as there is no scientific system to dump the huge quantities of chemicals stored in various companies.” He added that most of the industries in the area are clearly violating the air, water and environment conservation norms. Meanwhile, CORAL is organising a hunger strike demanding the right for pure World Water Day on Wednesday which will be inaugurated by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry. Activists, writers, celebrities and personalities from social and cultural sectors will also join them.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Fr. Augustine Vattoli, coordinator of CORAL said River Periyar, the primary drinking water source in the district, has become a dumping yard of chemical toxins. Their demands include implementation of a comprehensive project to remove toxic waste dumped in Periyar, alternative drinking water project and compensating and rehabilitating fishermen, farmers and traditional workers who have lost their job and living due to pollution. They also demand a ban on new industries along Periyar and conducting a comprehensive study on the increasing number of kidney diseases and cancer cases in greater Kochi areas.