The recent massive fish kill in the Periyar River along the Eloor-Edayar industrial stretch has resulted in a significant economic and environmental crisis for the region.
Alleged industrial pollution has decimated the fish population, severely impacting local livelihoods reliant on inland fishing. Effluents purportedly discharged from nearby industrial units have resulted in near-total fish mortality, including those in cage farms. This disaster has left local fish farmers facing substantial financial losses amounting to several lakhs of rupees. The sight of rotten fish washed ashore poses a severe health risk, further compounding the community’s distress. Additionally, concerns over the long-term damage to the riverine ecosystem amplify the anxiety among residents and environmentalists alike. The tragedy has affected multiple areas, including Edayar, Eloor, Varappuzha, Kothad, Kadamakudy, Cheranalloor, and Kottuvally, with tonnes of dead fish found floating both in the river and in the caged farms. Local fish farmers attribute the catastrophe to pollutants released by industries situated along the riverbanks. In contrast, the Pollution Control Board (PCB) has shifted some of the blame to the Irrigation Department, suggesting that the sudden opening of the shutters of the Pathalam regulator bridge could have triggered the fish kill. The PCB’s preliminary assessment indicates that the oxygen levels in the river may have plummeted when stagnant, oxygen-depleted water mixed with downstream waters following heavy rains and the subsequent opening of the shutters.
To determine the precise cause of the incident, the PCB has collected water samples from the river and samples of the dead fish, which will be analysed at the central laboratory of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Oceanic Studies. District Collector NSK Umesh has mandated an urgent investigation by the PCB. Additionally, a committee comprising representatives from the PCB, the Irrigation Department, the Health Department, the Industries Department, the Fisheries Department, and the Water Authority has been established to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident. This incident underscores the pressing need for stringent regulatory measures and effective pollution control strategies to prevent such ecological disasters. The outcome of the investigation will be crucial in identifying the responsible parties and implementing corrective actions to safeguard the livelihoods of local communities and the health of the Periyar River ecosystem.
