The Eloor- Edayar industrial area on the banks of the Periyar. The High Court has urged the government to propose the formation
of an authority for the effective conservation and protection of the river.
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday reiterated its suggestion for constituting an exclusive authority on the lines of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the Periyar river.

The Bench led by Justice Devan Ramachandran made the suggestion during the hearing of petitions filed by Green Action Force and others regarding pollution and mass fish kill in the river.

The court observed that if an authority was constituted exclusively for the river, it could ensure the river’s permanent protection. It also noted that the formation of the NGRBA had borne fruit.

The court said that the State and Central pollution control boards merely monitored and advised authorities without effective action. It noted that every river globally had dedicated authorities and emphasised the need for a permanent authority to protect the Periyar.

The court urged the government to propose the formation of an authority for the effective conservation and protection of the river. It also suggested establishing monitoring stations along the 244-km river stretch, from source to mouth, to identify polluted areas and initiate corrective measures.

The court observed that many cities worldwide had special authorities dedicated to protecting and conserving rivers.

For instance, in London, the Thames river is safeguarded, and throwing even a piece of paper into the waterbody can lead to legal action. In Singapore, electric boats operate on a river that serves as a source of drinking water. The bench suggested that the Periyar should be preserved in a similar manner, ensuring it flows clean and clear.

The court said that the cause of river pollution should be identified and addressed and stressed the need for a system to detect the sources of pollution and hold those responsible accountable.

The court adjourned the case to January 29.