Mass fish death in Periyar: Pollution Control Board files affidavit against Irrigation Dept

KOCHI: The Pollution Control Board on Monday filed an affidavit in the High Court against the Irrigation Department on the incident in which a large number of fish were seen dead and floating in the Periyar River. The Pollution Control Board told the court that the long-term closure of Pathalam Bund leads to the accumulation of organic waste in the river. It stated that although it had directed the Irrigation Department to maintain the water flow in Periyar at least to a minimum level as per the instruction of the National Green Tribunal, the Irrigation Department did not implement this direction.

Fish farmers in the region incurred a heavy loss of crores in the incident where fish died en masse in the Periyar following the dumping of chemical waste in the river. Farmers in Varapuzha, Cheranalloor and Kadamakkudy panchayats suffered the most.

Meanwhile, the High Court has sought an explanation from the government on a petition alleging that chemical waste and market waste dumped in the river were the cause of the death of fish in large numbers. A division bench comprising Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice VG Arun also directed the government to produce the files in this regard. The court will consider the matter again on June 10.