KOCHI: It’s been five months since the May 20 Periyar fish kill dealt a huge blow to the finances of many cage fish farmers in a municipality and three panchayats.
However, according to the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), they have yet to receive from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) the report on the analysis of the dead fish, charge vehemently refuted by the varsity. Amid this, the expert committee appointed by the Kerala High Court and headed by the board chairperson is also yet to submit its report.
KUFOS Vice-Chancellor Pradeepkumar T said all of the KSPCB’s allegations were false. “The samples collected from the river were analysed and the report was submitted to the state government on the date specified. The KSPCB can get the report from the fisheries department. We were asked to submit the report to the government and we have done it,” he told TNIE.
Explaining more about the findings, the VC said, “The fish samples indicated low dissolved oxygen in the river water. There was also the presence of sulphur. As for which type of chemicals are present in the river water, the KSPCB is the one that needs to identify it.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that KSPCB chairperson S Sreekala is on a visit to the Eloor-Edayar industrial belt.
A KSPCB official said the report the chairperson is talking about is the one on the fish samples that had been provided by the board. “The chairperson was speaking at a meeting held in Eloor municipality. She said even after four missives on the matter, no reply was forthcoming from KUFOS,” said the official.
Refuting the allegations that the university had ditched the samples collected by the KSPCB, Pradeepkumar said, “Both the samples were analysed collectively and the report is based on this investigation.”
On the delay in the submission of the report by the committee constituted by the HC, an official said, “The chairperson has said last-minute works are on over the report and it will be submitted soon.”
Meanwhile, it has come to light that closure notices have been served on four industries in Edayar, Eloor and Kadungalloor for violating air pollution guidelines. The PCB official said, “The closure proceedings will be conducted on Monday.”