KOCHI: Increasing incidents of pollution of the Periyar have once again triggered widespread protest by residents of Eloor and Edayar.

Exactly two years after the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on Hazardous Wastes levied a collective fine of Rs.2.5 crores on industrial units, Eloor residents feel that the river has once again turned into a dumping ground for toxic and other industrial effluents.

M.K. Kunjappan, a resident who fought pollution of the natural resources for decades, said that indiscriminate pollution was severely affecting the ecology of the region.

"We are not demanding the closure of industrial units in Eloor and Edayar. The units should install necessary facilities to treat the toxic effluents. We have the right to breath good air and drink quality water", he said. Recalling the mass fish death in 1971 following oil leak in the region, Mr. Kunjappan said life was tough for the residents of Eloor. "Women and children have been the worst affected. People continue to experience several health problems", he said.

He said the dwindling fish population in Eloor was a pointer to the pollution of natural resources. "There was a time when the region had more than 200 Chinese nets. Fishermen used to get rare species of fish from the river. But the scene has changed after industrial units started dumping effluents", he said.

Quoting recent incidents, environmentalist Purushan Eloor said bone meal units in the region released large quantities of waste into the river. "The colour of the river keeps changing in tune with the discharge of effluents from the industries. Reports of mass fish death have forced fishermen to look out for other jobs", he said.

He said teachers and students of the MES Eastern U.P. School, Udyogmandal, sought medical aid after breathing polluted air. "The Pollution Control Board has not taken any concrete action on complaints made by the public. Authorities have failed to introduce a mobile air monitoring unit in the area despite repeated requests from residents", he said.

P.K. Ibrahim, former chairman of the Local Area Environment Committee, said the state of the Periyar became a matter of concern. "Various recommendations given by the local area environment committee are gathering dust. The board must initiate immediate action to restore the river in its original condition", he said.

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