KOCHI: The District Collector has ordered the setting up of an empowered committee to recommend long-term programmes for the conservation of the Periyar river. The committee will consist of engineers, green activists and members from the panchayat.“A number of studies on the river have been undertaken, however, none of them focused on the projects that can be taken up for its conservation. This committee will specifically focus on the projects that can be implemented in the area. The committee will also draw upon the earlier studies on the river,” said District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth. The committee will submit a report on the river after a month. The decision to constitute the committee was taken after the Collector met the environmental activists from the area. The Collector has also ordered several temporary measures in lieu of the crisis faced by the river and its ecosystem.“The main focus is to increase the flow of the water in the Muttar tributary of the Periyar river. As part of the construction of the cross bridges for the Vallarpadam ICTT, several pile caps were dumped in the area. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been directed to remove them,” said the Collector.Also, an order has been given to remove the little islands of silt accumulated in the river. Repair of the Purapallikaav bund, removal of bio-waste from the area, oxidisation in the industrial belt of the river, opening up of the sluices at Manjummel for the successful movement of tidal currents etc are the other measures that were taken up.In addition, orders have been given to provide more potable water to the residents of the Eloor region who are reeling under the acute water shortage owing to the increased pollution levels in the river. Additional water tankers are to be employed.
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