Greens quiz expert report on fish kill

Kochi: Green activists  have protested against the recent  expert study report on frequent instances of fish kill in  Periyar river. The report submitted by Dr Bijoy Nandan, expert,  department of Marine Biology  of  Cusat,  has several contradictory findings and data meant  to help the polluting industrial units, alleged the activists. The report will weaken the case filed against the polluting industries in the National Green Tribunal, they said.   

According to the report, the reason for the fish kill  is the  low level of dissolved oxygen in the river water.

This occurred when high organic load and toxic sludge material from upstream suddenly reduced the dissolved oxygen to below zero where aquatic life is not possible.

This happened when the department of irrigation authorities opened a small portion of Pathalam bund to prevent the early breakage of Purappillikkavu bund, which prevents the intrusion of saline water into the river.

The study also indicated heavy loads of organic and inorganic wastes accumulated in the upstream region of the river which changed its normal ecology system.

The People’s Initiative for Environment Protection and Social Awareness, a green NGO, in a statement alleged  that the study  is silent on the discharge of toxic pollutants.

“The report has been submitted without conducting water quality analysis at regular intervals. In two months’ period, research studies have been conducted only eight times which is not sufficient,” alleged the NGO.