KOCHI: Soon after the World Water Day was observed with various events calling for the preservation of water and the environment, a massive fish kill was reported in the Periyar at Eloor area.
The kill was detected around 12.30 pm on Thursday near the regulator-cum-bridge at Pathalam. The river water here had the colour of lime.
There are allegations that the water was contaminated after the Irrigation Department opened the shutters of the regulator-cum-bridge. The Pollution Control Board had also reportedly not issued any notice in this regard. The kill was noticed by the local people after crows were seen circling in the area. Following this, they asked the Irrigation officers to close the stutters by 12.45 pm.
Meanwhile, some migrant labourers collected the high value dead fish such as pearl spot and prawns. PCB officers collected water samples after local people raised the demand.
Any move to contaminate the water of the Periyar would be resisted, said environmental activist P B Gopinath. ‘’We need not close down the industrial units, but should ensure there is a pollution control system in place and company managements abide by pollution control norms,’’ he said.