Periyar encroached upon with impunity
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At a time when natural resources are fast depleting and a war over drinking water looms large on the horizon, making World Environment Day one of the most important days on the calendar, the unmindful savagery brought on the Periyar in different forms, continues.
Even as pollution continues to damage the only drinking water source of Kochi and adjoining areas, instances of encroachment and unauthorised filling of the river are also coming to light. But, as is their wont, officials are turning a blind eye to them despite activists airing protests.
The petition filed by the Association for Environ-mental Protection, Aluva, against unauthorised constructions on the Periyar near Chowara ferry in Keezhmadu panchayat, was recently rejected by the office of the panchayat deputy director, saying he could not detect any such activity.
The reply also noted that the pollution of the river can be contained only through the concerted efforts of the public, police and other officials. It’s estimated that there are 41 hectares of puramboke land adjoining the Periyar in Keezhmadu alone, which have mostly been encroached upon.
“There is no systematic drive to clear this area and to ensure that the river flows in its original course so the residents of Kochi and nearby areas continue to get their due share of drinking water. An estimate puts the overall puramboke adjoining the Periyar below Kalady, at 10,000 acres,” says AEP secretary N. Ramachandran.
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