The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Kerala government and Central and State Pollution Control Boards regarding a significant fish kill incident in the Periyar River on May 20 and 21. The NGT’s Southern Bench, prompted by a report from The Hindu highlighting the incident, has taken suo motu cognisance and scheduled a hearing for July 8.
The incident, allegedly caused by suspected effluent discharge from industries in the Eloor-Edayar industrial area of Ernakulam, led to widespread reports of dead fish along the river’s stretch, particularly near the Pathalam bund and downstream.
Notices have been served to various stakeholders including the Principal Secretaries of Environment, Health, and Water Resources departments, along with officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Ernakulam District Collector, and other relevant authorities. The NGT has instructed these bodies to submit detailed reports before the upcoming hearing.
The State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC), appointed by the NGT, has already recommended the formation of an independent committee empowered to inspect industries along the riverbanks. This committee aims to curb unauthorized discharge of untreated wastewater into the Periyar River, which the SLMC Chairman A.V. Ramakrishna Pillai’s report suggests as a likely cause behind the fish kill.
The NGT’s intervention underscores the seriousness of environmental concerns raised by the incident, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to protect the ecological health of the Periyar River. As investigations proceed, stakeholders are expected to collaborate to prevent such incidents and safeguard the river’s biodiversity and water quality.
Source-The Hindu
