The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Govt clears plan to set up Periyar river authority

A FLOOD OF EFFLUENTS: The Periyar water undergoes a change of colour as effluents and other pollutants are discharged into it near Kochi. - K.K. Mustafah

Kochi , Feb. 15

THE State Government has given its nod for setting up Periyar River Authority so as to conduct regular monitoring and suggest measures to improve the quality of the river.

The authority, which was constituted considering the suggestions from the Periyar Action Plan, will initiate steps to formulate action plans on areas such as afforestation, rehabilitation and resettlement, survey of river basins, pollution monitoring centres, sewage treatment plants, provision of septic tanks and installation of slaughter houses.

It will also carry out research on the ecological status of the river periodically and will coordinate the activities of various government departments, NGOs, and other organisations involved in river protection. The authority will carry out maintenance of embankments and will suggest measures for the improvement of the riverbanks.

A comprehensive action plan for protecting the river will be evolved. Action plans on eco-tourism and inland navigation, prevention of salinity incursion, watershed management and awareness programmes will also be prepared as part of protecting the rivers.

The Periyar Action Plan, which was drafted in 1997, had suggested that the authority would be an autonomous body with quasi-judiciary powers constituted under separate legislation.

According to a recommendation included in the action plan, a Chairman who will be directly appointed by the Government will head the authority. A board of members will monitor the activities of the authority.

The board will consist of people's representatives, environmentalists, NGOs, voluntary organisations, representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, forest department, legal sector, media, factories, agriculture, irrigation and land use board, mining and geology, local bodies, district administration, tourism department, Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the Kerala State Electricity Board. All policies related to the functioning of the authority will be vested with the board.

The Association for Environment Protection, Aluva, has urged the Government to have a scientific plan while formulating the River Authority. The authority should be able to suggest steps for resolving the acute drinking water shortage experienced by people depending on the river. A river protection forum should be formed under the authority, it added.

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