Kerala temple drive to revive dying river

ALAPPUZHA: The dying and contaminated Uttarappally river, a tributary of Pampa, will be cleaned up by the Neduvaramcode Mahadeva temple administration as part of its festival. The river water was causing epidemics in the surrounding areas and hampering the temple rituals.

According to Mr N.K. Ramachandran Nair, secretary, temple administration committee, "there is no flow of water in the 18-km river; many parts have been blocked by drain and illegal encroachments. Currently, the water is contaminated by kitchen and toilet wastes resulting in epidemics in nearby households.

A recent lab report had shown high density of e-coli in the water. A river protection convention will be held on April 7 as part of the festival," Mr Nair said.
The river was once the lifeline of the people of Venmony, Ala, Cheriyanad, Puliyoor and Budhanoor panchayats. It originates from Achankovil river in Venmony and ends in Ennakad near Baudhanoor here.

The river during the princely reign was used as the main route for  goods transport. The flow of river got struck during the time of Marthandavarma, the then king of Travancore. "The river was diverted by the king to protect the state from enemies. A bund built at Putthattinkara, Venmony, changed the fate of the river," as per historical records.

Mr Prakash Namboodiri, a local resident and temple administration committee member, says even concrete buildings have been built on the river bed. A couple of months ago there was a move to level a portion of the river with gravel. But, it was thwarted by the timely intervention of local environmentalists.

The river in Neduvercode area has shrunken to just five feet. Earlier, the irrigation department had carried out a spot check in a bid to save the river. The department officials said that they would be able to do the job if the revenue department gets the boundary cleared. "But nothing has happened so far," Mr Namboodiri alleged.