Kochi: The Pollution Control Board has issued notices to 23 panchayats and Kattappana municipality directing them to take action against hotels that discharge septage into the Periyar. The PCB also called for strict vigil to protect the fragile environs on the banks of Periyar . “The discharge of toilet waste into the Periyar lake by various hotels is intensifying. You are requested to take necessary action in this regard as the discharge is directly or indirectly polluting the water body which is the main source of drinking water supply to Kumily town as well as the wild life,” said the notice issued by Mr M. A. Babu, PCB's environment engineer, to the secretaries of the local bodies.
The order was issued on the basis of the complaints filed by Kumali native Sajimon Salim in this regard. Pointing out the issue at Periyar Tiger Reserve, he said there were more than a dozen resorts and hotels functioning near it. There are small ones with 10 to 15 beds, medium with 25 to 50 beds and large ones with more than 100 beds for visitors. A large quantity of waste was generated by them.
He said that as per rules they have to treat the waste water before letting it out to the drainage system. At present the septage water coming out from the resorts is black in colour with obnoxious smell. Many complaints have already been made to the local body authorities and the health department, including Kumily grama panchayat, by the local people. So far no serious action had been taken by any of them, he said.
