Green Brigade MLAs in UDF on Saturday sought a ban on pesticides polluting the rivers in Kerala in the wake of the shocking report of Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). The MLAs took up the issue as part of their river conservation initiative called ‘From Neyyar to Chandragiri.’
“The SACON report published by DC is alarming. We will take up the matter with due seriousness and bring to the attention of the state government for immediate follow-up action. As rivers are the lifeline of our state, all efforts need to be taken to protect their biodiversity and fisheries resources,” said V.T Balram, MLA, member of the green brigade.
The MLAs have already announced a river conservation initiative to protect rivers, fish resources and biodiversity.
Environmental experts have made it clear that a complete ban on highly hazardous pesticides is the only way to check the toxic pollution.
Meanwhile, in their blog Green Thoughts, Kerala, the MLAs have proposed a detailed action plan for the conservation of rivers as part of their ‘From Neyyar to Chandragiri’ mission.
This includes constituting a statutory river authority, preparing a comprehensive databank with satellite mapping of rivers, their origins, details of deforestation, meteorological data, people living along the banks, farming practices and sources of pollution.
“The proposal to ban pesticides will be included as a major agenda in the proposed Statutory River Authority. Efforts to ban pesticides and regulating industries from discharging chemical pollutants to the rivers should go hand in hand. Rivers should not be made the dumping yard of industries,” said T.N. Prathapan MLA.
“It is important that a coordinating authority with statutory powers is established to ensure the protection of rivers in the state. We need new rules and regulations and a detailed databank for conserving rivers. The proposed authority sho-uld be made the apex body to carry out the river conservation projects,” said the green MLAs in their blog.