The Hindu : Making the Periyar an election issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 22, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Making the Periyar an election issue

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MARCH 21. The "Save Periyar" campaign is likely to get intensified in the election time with a combine of environmental groups and fishermen forums in the district planning a series of agitations from April onwards to press for the protection of the river.

The combine will ask political parties to make their stand clear on the river issue. It is learnt that environmental groups voicing the demand to protect the river have already held preliminary discussions with fishermen forums and other trade unions in the district.

The combine will meet candidates of all prominent parties to present their demands in the coming days. A candidates' meet will also be organised where people would get a chance to air their grievances related to the pollution of the river.

The environmental forums and fishermen in the district have urged the candidates to explain their views on taking up the protection of the river. The combine has also sought the support of the candidates in implementing various proposals to save the Periyar.

The acute drinking water scarcity experienced by residents will also be taken up as an election issue.

The combine has plans to lay `siege' to the river using country boats to protest against companies dumping toxic effluents into the river.

The `siege' is likely to be organised near Pathalam by the end of April. Awareness campaigns would be held at the grassroots levels to highlight the "Save Periyar" slogan.

The fishermen community in Varapuzha and Edayar regions have offered to support the agitation.

The increasing incidence of pollution in the river has caused problems to the fishermen who depend on the river for their living. Fishermen groups in the region have already held discussions with environmental forums on the future course of the agitation.

Environmental forums will also take up the issue of indiscriminate sand-mining in the Periyar during the elections.

The increasing instances of illegal mining prevalent in various panchayats in the district will be taken up for discussion at public meetings.

The combine has asked political parties to implement the charter of demands submitted by NGOs to save the Periyar. The forums will also demand stringent action against industrial units found dumping toxic effluents into the river.

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