SALEM: Thick layers of foam have accumulated along stretches of the Thirumanimutharu River in Salem after three days of rainfall, with farmers and environmental activists alleging that untreated effluent discharge from dyeing units during heavy rains has worsened the pollution. The recurring problem has raised concerns about the water body's condition and its impact on agriculture, livestock, and people living along its course.
The river originates in the Salem region and flows through urban and semi-urban areas before joining the Cauvery at Nanjai Edayar village. With multiple feeder streams along its course, the river is an important source of water for agricultural lands nearby. However, pollution has increasingly affected the quality of water, with farmers alleging the problem is exacerbated during heavy rainfall.
K Thangavel, a Salem farmer, said complaints failed to bring a lasting solution, with effluent discharge intensifying during heavy rains, leaving thick layers of foam in the river. "Livestock rearing is a major livelihood along the river, and the polluted water threatens both animals and people. The river is clean near Yercaud's foothills but becomes heavily polluted as it flows through Salem, affecting farmers there and in Namakkal," he said.
M Thangaraj, president of the Tamil Nadu Natural Farmers' Association, said farmers' groups had highlighted the issue for the past two decades, but river pollution continued. "If the problem is not addressed soon, we are considering organising a protest to demand action. Strict enforcement and continuous monitoring are necessary to prevent effluents from entering the river, especially in areas such as Erumapalayam, where dyeing units operate," he said.
A senior district administration official said a joint inspection was conducted two months ago by the district administration, the Water Resources Department (WRD), the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Salem City Municipal Corporation to identify the sources of pollution and determine corrective measures. The official added that Environment, Pollution Control and Climate Change Minister Dr V Rajeev and Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban also inspected dyeing units in Erumapalayam on October 8 to examine pollution-related concerns.
"The inspection found that the pollution was not attributable to a single source, but to multiple discharges. The river flows through the city and receives wastewater from different sources, including household drainage and effluents from dyeing units. The discharge from dyeing units is one of the sources being examined," the official said.
The official added that a treatment plant had been established and that the departments concerned were working on remedial measures. Further, steps were being taken to identify sources of contamination and implement corrective action.
However, Salem officials of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board were unavailable for comment.