Kerala - Kochi   

Participatory scheme to protect Periyar

G. Krishnakumar

Government may consider proposal for independent authority to protect the river

KOCHI: Encouraged by the success of community involvement in river protection programmes in the country, the Government proposes to involve local people in restoration of the Periyar.

The Department of Water Resources has received proposals recommending participation of local communities in protection of the Periyar that provides drinking water to lakhs of people in Ernakulam district.

A meeting on `how to revive the Periyar' to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on September 28 would initiate discussions on the topic of community participation in protection of natural resources.

The Government may also consider a proposal for setting up an independent river authority for the Periyar. A final decision on the authority would be taken only after holding extensive discussions, sources said.

Local residents, fishermen and farmers would be encouraged to monitor the river to spot incidents of pollution. The environment surveillance squad, which has become defunct, would be revived. Local residents would be appointed as environmental surveillance wardens. They would report dumping of hazardous wastes in the river by industrial units to the authorities.

The sources said a High Power Committee (HPC) constituted by the Supreme Court had noted that members of an alert and informed community who were fully aware of the nature of hazardous waste and its impact on their health could help in protecting and saving natural resources.

It had also referred to a law enacted in the U.S. in the wake of Bhopal gas tragedy, namely, Emergency Planning and Community Right to Act 1986, which requires preparation of emergency response plans by the companies with involvement of the local communities.

To evolve a long-term action plan for Periyar protection, the State Pollution Control Board would direct the industrial units in Eloor and Edayar to achieve zero effluent discharge within three years. Stringent action would be taken against industries dumping solid waste in the river.

Government sources said that a detailed baseline study would be done to assess the quality of the river ecosystem. Studies would be conducted to analyse the extent of chemical contamination.

A survey of the river basin would be carried out to find sewage outlet points. The plan of action also included a proposal for consistent monitoring of ambient water quality. Steps would be taken to restore fish habitat found in the Periyar.

Afforestation programmes would be introduced in the catchment areas to maintain the summer flow in the river and also to increase the flow rate throughout the year.

The Government has received expert opinion that trees and riverine vegetation need to be increased with afforestation programmes along the riverbank. Stonewalls of the banks might be replaced with natural vegetation.

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