MADIKERI : Pollution level in River Cauvery is on a steady rise and it is not just urbanisation and industrialisation around cities that are to be blamed. According to officials, even rural areas are also facing the problem.
State Pollution Control Board officials, who rate Cauvery river water as ‘grade B’, which can be used for drinking after purification, say the pollution level in river has been rising consistently over the years. Earlier, the same river water was graded as ‘A’ and water could have been used for drinking without purification. The officials say the water could be graded as ‘C’ during summer, which can also be consumed only after purification.
If water is graded as ‘D’, it is unfit for human consumption but can be used for cattle consumption. If water quality goes down further to ‘E’ grade, it is unfit for both human and cattle consumption but can be utilised for industrial purpose.
Speaking to Express, District Pollution Control Board officer Ganeshan said: “Due to soil erosion and chemicals being let into the river, Cauvery water is being polluted on a daily basis. It is really alarming that the river is polluted just after flowing 100 km from Talacauvery.” It is said that in some areas like Siddapura and Kudige, meat merchants are releasing wastewater into the river. With gram panchayats turning a blind eye, animal waste and drainage are reportedly adding to the pollution.
Quality level falls further during summer as a number of coffee growers release coffee processed water into the river. Despite PCB officials shutting down many coffee pulping units for polluting the river, other units use the river as a place to dump their waste.
Cauvery Nadi Samrakshaka Sangha convener M N Chandra Mohan said: “If the government does not take stringent measures immediately, Cauvery will turn into another Ganga soon.”
He added that the government should enforce law to keep Cauvery clean and alleged many local bodies are also letting waste directly into the river.