The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized the Central and State Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) for their inaction regarding pollution incidents affecting the Periyar River. This development raises significant concerns as the tribunal had previously issued an order on May 27, 2022, outlining the necessary remediation projects aimed at addressing the pollution issues in this vital waterway.
In a recent order issued on August 20, the Bench, consisting of Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Satyagopal Korlapati, expressed astonishment over the lack of action taken by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board, especially following a mass fish kill incident on May 21, 2024, which occurred two years after the initial directives. The Bench pointed out that a monitoring committee had been constituted to oversee the progress of pollution mitigation efforts.
The tribunal’s attention was drawn to a study conducted by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), which reported findings that contradicted those of the State Pollution Control Board regarding the mass fish kill. The preliminary report from Kufos highlighted dangerously high levels of toxic substances, including ammonium and hydrogen sulphide, detected in water samples collected from the Eloor-Edayar stretch of the Periyar on May 20 and 21.
In light of these contradictions, the Bench has requested clarification from the Central PCB regarding the discrepancies in the reports. Furthermore, it has urged the monitoring committee to provide detailed information about the industries located in the catchment area near the Periyar, including their effluent discharge methods and the contamination levels in the river. The tribunal has also included Kufos and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute as participants in this ongoing case.
