KOCHI: The massive campaign launched by the newly-formed Collective for Right to Live (CORAL), a platform of various social, cultural, religious and environmental organisations for Periyar river conservation is gaining momentum. Various organisations have already joined the collective which is expected to change the way the authorities handle complaints against the violation of pollution norms and right for clean and safe drinking water. Even as a few environmental groups oppose some of the demands of CORAL, the campaign for safe drinking water and cleaning of polluted Periyar has reached grassroots level. The involvement of religious leaders, especially the Church, could influence the common people’s perspectives on the issue.
“For the last one year, the Church has been actively campaigning against the industrial pollution and the possible health hazards of having contaminated drinking water from the Periyar. The campaign could bring a positive change in the thinking of common people, especially along the coastal areas where the Church is more influential,” said a green activist. Meanwhile, the general sentiment is that whichever group highlights the issue of drinking water and industrial pollution, it should be supported. “The divisive approach among various green groups will only help the people with vested interests and sabotage the movement. Green activists in Eloor and Edayar who have been in the forefront of Periyar conservation campaigns should cooperate with the new mass movement wherever they can work together,” said Mr Jacob Lazar of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
Though some activists oppose the demand for closure of all red category industries, if the industries fail to comply with the recent Supreme Court order on proper effluent treatment facility within 90 days, they have to be closed down. The Periyar pollution has to be considered in a wider perspective as the green groups are silent on other serious violations like the dumping of municipal solid waste, use of huge quantities of pesticides in plantations in high range areas, which reach the river, and massive encroachment of the river and deforestation, it has been observed.
Sharmila blames it on selfish leaders
Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila, who shot to fame for her fast demanding the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPSA), has blamed selfish leaders for the misery of the people in the country. Speaking at the concluding session of the protest demanding an end to polluting River Periyar on Sunday, Ms Sharmila said when people are looking for drinking water the selfish lot are busy engaged in building swimming pools and resorts. “It is time for all of us to join for justice”, she said.
Reposing her faith in struggles rooted in nonviolence she wished success for the fight for ending the pollution. Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Varapuzha archdiocese who presided over the function said: “We should be disturbed at the situation that we cannot provide clean air and safe drinking water to our children.” “Persons who are only bothered about profit are unable to see the agony of masses,” he said. The Archbishop also stated that more people are dying in the world nowadays without drinking water than those killed in the war. Sara Joseph released a book written by G.D. Martin on the pollution in Periyar by handing over a copy to V. Dinakaran, president of Kerala Dheevara Mahasabha. Tribal leader M. Geethanandan, Dalit activist C.S. Murali and several others attended the meeting.
