Kerala - Kochi   

Study terms Eloor, Edayar region `toxic hot spot'

Staff Reporter

Says area is filled with heavy metals and pesticides; assessment was done by LAEC

ASSESSING DAMAGE: Claude Alvares, member, Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC), receiving the environment evaluation report prepared by the Local Area Environment Committee (LAEC) in Kochi on Saturday. - Photo: VipinChandran

KOCHI: An Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by the Local Area Environment Committee (LAEC) has termed the Eloor and Edayar industrial region "toxic hot spot" filled with heavy metals and pesticides.

Results of samples collected from Eloor, Edayar and Kuzhikandam creeks indicate the presence of heavy metals and diverse mixture of organochlorine compounds.

Soil and water samples were collected from the premises of industrial units in Eloor and Edayar. Studies found that the presence of metals like iron, cadmium, manganese, nickel, copper and chlorides had violated the prescribed limits.

According to the EIA report, discharge from the Kuzhikandam creek had reached the Edamula branch of the Periyar. Industrial units had a major role in contaminating groundwater in Eloor and Edayar.

Soil in Chakkarachal paddy field, Edayattuchal, Amanthuruthu paddy field, Panachithodu and Unnithodu areas was found affected by various types of chemicals. The LAEC found that Eloor and Edayar had become unfit for habitation.

Recommendations on the Periyar

The committee has recommended that a survey should be conducted in the reaches of the Periyar. Boundaries of the river have to be demarcated to protect it from encroachment.

A Periyar protection force has to be introduced to monitor the river and take action against those indulging in activities detrimental to the natural source of water.

Steps should be taken to establish a river protection fund by converting the money mobilised through auction of sand seized from those involved in illegal sand mining. The State Pollution Control Board should conduct a survey on the sediment deposits and evolve such mode for removing non-biodegradable category of pollutants.

Fish sanctuaries have to be set up to ensure sufficient fish population in the river.

The committee suggested setting up a laboratory for analysing persistent organic pollutants found in the Periyar.

It has also requested the authorities not to allow industrial units within a distance of 100 metres from the river boundary on the Eloor-Edayar belt.

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