Kochi, Kerala government held a meeting on Thursday and worked out long-term and short-term measures to prevent a recurrence of the death of thousands of fish in the Periyar river.
Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev said short-term preventive measures would include formulating protocols for opening the Pathala regulator-cum-bridge on the Periyar river and setting up biofilters o industrial units on the river banks.
The minister said the long-term measures would be in relation to the conservation and reclamation of the Periyar as well as other rivers in the state and would also include setting up of a river-related authority.
Speaking to reporters here after the meeting, Rajiv said thousands of fish died after the shutters of the regulator-cum-bridge were opened, including those reared in cages by local fish farmers.
To find out the cause of death, the water was being tested by the Kerala Pollution Control Board, samples of the dead fish were examined by a special committee under the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and the Sub-Collector. Was.''I am investigating the incident,'' he said.
Based on the findings of the board, KUFOS and the special committee, the sub-collector will submit a report on Saturday and further steps will be taken accordingly.
He said short-term measures based on the report would include taking steps to set up a high-level committee if necessary, providing appropriate compensation to fish farmers and formulating a protocol on opening the regulator-cum-bridge.
The protocol will be made by the Irrigation Department which will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the norms along with the Board and the Local Self Government Department.
Regarding the complaints of foul smell coming from the river for some time, the Minister said that the Board had given notice to about 20 companies to install biofilters and when they were installed, they were not working properly. Therefore, instructions will be issued to install new ones. Biofilters, according to a report by the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) as of July 31.The long-term measures discussed at the meeting included the meeting of a high-level committee in Thiruvananthapuram to consider the orders and recommendations of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court to protect rivers and prepare an action plan .
Additionally, the government is also considering building a diaphragm wall along the walkway at Periyar as per the recommendations of the NGT and a survey for the same will be completed in a month's time.
"After this, a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared in this regard," the minister said. The need for an authority to protect rivers in the state was also discussed in the meeting.
The meeting was held today following widespread protests by fish farmers, locals, environment activists and political parties after large numbers of dead fish were found in fish farms in panchayats like Varapuzha, Kadamkudi and Cheranallur near here since Tuesday.According to the scenes shown on TV channels, protests were also held on Thursday.
Fish farmers claimed significant losses amounting to several lakhs of rupees due to massive fish deaths.
According to the initial perception of the Board officials, the fish died en masse due to a sudden and significant drop in oxygen levels in the water.
The protesters have alleged that the authorities are not taking strict action against factories allegedly releasing chemical waste into the Periyar river.
Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev said short-term preventive measures would include formulating protocols for opening the Pathala regulator-cum-bridge on the Periyar river and setting up biofilters o industrial units on the river banks.
The minister said the long-term measures would be in relation to the conservation and reclamation of the Periyar as well as other rivers in the state and would also include setting up of a river-related authority.
Speaking to reporters here after the meeting, Rajiv said thousands of fish died after the shutters of the regulator-cum-bridge were opened, including those reared in cages by local fish farmers.
To find out the cause of death, the water was being tested by the Kerala Pollution Control Board, samples of the dead fish were examined by a special committee under the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and the Sub-Collector. Was.''I am investigating the incident,'' he said.
Based on the findings of the board, KUFOS and the special committee, the sub-collector will submit a report on Saturday and further steps will be taken accordingly.
He said short-term measures based on the report would include taking steps to set up a high-level committee if necessary, providing appropriate compensation to fish farmers and formulating a protocol on opening the regulator-cum-bridge.
The protocol will be made by the Irrigation Department which will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the norms along with the Board and the Local Self Government Department.
Regarding the complaints of foul smell coming from the river for some time, the Minister said that the Board had given notice to about 20 companies to install biofilters and when they were installed, they were not working properly. Therefore, instructions will be issued to install new ones. Biofilters, according to a report by the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) as of July 31.The long-term measures discussed at the meeting included the meeting of a high-level committee in Thiruvananthapuram to consider the orders and recommendations of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court to protect rivers and prepare an action plan .
Additionally, the government is also considering building a diaphragm wall along the walkway at Periyar as per the recommendations of the NGT and a survey for the same will be completed in a month's time.
"After this, a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared in this regard," the minister said. The need for an authority to protect rivers in the state was also discussed in the meeting.
The meeting was held today following widespread protests by fish farmers, locals, environment activists and political parties after large numbers of dead fish were found in fish farms in panchayats like Varapuzha, Kadamkudi and Cheranallur near here since Tuesday.According to the scenes shown on TV channels, protests were also held on Thursday.
Fish farmers claimed significant losses amounting to several lakhs of rupees due to massive fish deaths.
According to the initial perception of the Board officials, the fish died en masse due to a sudden and significant drop in oxygen levels in the water.
The protesters have alleged that the authorities are not taking strict action against factories allegedly releasing chemical waste into the Periyar river.
