Water in Periyar highly toxic, says study

KOCHI: A study conducted by the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, revealed that the water in the Periyar river is highly toxic. Of the 200 samples collected by the lab  from various points of the river, many were found to be poisonous. A report in this regard will be submitted before the High Court in the next week.A Division Bench of the High Court had asked the NIIST to submit a report on the quality of drinking water from Periyar. The High Court had earlier appointed an Advocate Commission to look into the issue of pollution in Periyar.The single-member commission consisting of advocate P A Jacob was appointed by the High Court on the basis of a contempt of court petition filed by Eloor-based NGO Green Action Force. The samples had taken in the presence of commission.In its petition,the Green Action Force pointed out that the High Court had ordered the State Pollution Control Board on April 12, 2005, to collect samples from the Periyar to check the level of pollution in it.However, regular sample collection from the river was not done, the petition pointed out. The samples were collected from Panachithode, Kunthithode and Kuzhikkandam creek, the tributaries of the Periyar. There were widespread complaints about the increasing level of pollution in the Periyar owing to industrial waste being discharged into the river at Eloor. Following this many organisations had come forward demanding solution to the issue of pollution.However, the issue has been continuing. After that the High Court had asked the NIIST to submit a report on the quality of drinking water from the Periyar, while considering another petition.