Kabani tributary’s pollution puts focus on penalising perpetrators

Slaughter waste of over 25 bovines was dumped along the Periya-Mananthavady hill highway into one of the key tributaries of the Kabani river at Chandanakkad area

KALPETTA:At a time when the government is gearing up to act tough on those who pollute water bodies, a shocking case has come to the fore from Wayanad. Slaughter waste of over 25 bovines was dumped along the Periya-Mananthavady hill highway into one of the key tributaries of the Kabani river at Chandanakkad area on Friday, posing a grave health hazard to local people.

It was a double whammy of sorts for the district which is already grappling with heavy rain, landslides and massive crop loss. Local people detected the slaughter waste dumped in the stream on Friday morning. By then, heavy rain had spread the waste downstream.Authorities are concerned whether the polluted water, which would reach Thazangadi for drinking water supply, would eventually reach the homes of unsuspecting people.

“Though we have seen small quantities of slaughter waste being dumped along the ghat road, never have we seen dumping of such huge proportions. Local people are in panic as it has affected their precious water source,” said Jayamon, a resident of Periya.

Sensing the grave health hazard, Sanjeev S J, an environmental activist, petitioned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior government officers about the situation. Immediately, the local panchayat swung into action. But all they could do was to retrieve the slaughter waste and bury it in huge pits nearby.

When contacted, Wayanad Sub Collector N S K Umesh said the water body has been cleaned. He added a case would be registered against the miscreants under Section 133 of CrPC for creating public nuisance. A detailed assessment of the extent of pollution and its impact on drinking water will also be examined, he added.

“This incident is an eye-opener on the need to urgently bring in amendments to the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act so that stricter punishment and penalty can be imposed on perpetrators,” said Sanjeev, who is the president of the Environment Protection and Research Council based in the state capital.

KERALA IRRIGATION & WATER CONSERVATION ACT

Amendments Proposed
Strict punishment for polluting water sources proposed
3 years imprisonment or C2 lakh fine
Currently, imprisonment ranges from just 6 months to 2 years
At present, fine extends  to C35,000 only

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