Cage fish farmers and locals, irked by the Kerala Pollution Control Board’s (PCB) inaction against factories polluting the Periyar river, staged a protest at the PCB engineer’s office in Eloor, Ernakulam. They demanded immediate action against industries allegedly dumping harmful chemicals into the river.
Residents from various areas along the 10 km stretch of the Periyar river, including Varapuzha, Kadamakudy, Cheranalloor, Mulavukad, Eloor, Alangad, and Kunnathukara, joined the protest. Rotting fish, symbolizing the severity of the pollution, were thrown into the PCB office compound during the demonstration.
The protesters criticized the PCBs negligence, attributing the fish deaths and financial losses to their indifference. The PCB claimed the deaths resulted from oxygen depletion due to a regulator’s opening, but the protesters disagreed.
Following a meeting involving officials and local representatives, steps were outlined to address the issue. These include submitting a report on farmers’ losses, seeking compensation and free rations for affected fishermen, and immediate removal and disposal of decaying fish from the river.
The PCB chairperson assured a thorough investigation into negligent officials and stringent action against industries violating pollution regulations along the Periyar river.
Source-The New Indian express