A case has been registered against a private company for allegedly discharging chemical effluents into the Periyar River near Kochi, weeks after environmental activists and locals protested against the pollution threatening the river's biodiversity. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued a notice to the company which is one of several firms situated along the Periyar River. The violation was detected during a recent patrolling operation by PCB officials, according to sources.
The police and PCB have taken a firm stance against the company amid the ongoing controversy over the recent mass death of fish in the Periyar River, as reported by PTI.
Last month, Kochi witnessed widespread protests by fish farmers, local residents, environmental activists, and political parties after dead fish were found in large numbers in fish farms across panchayats such as Varapuzha, Kadamakkudy, and Cheranalloor.
A police officer stated that a case was registered against the company based on a complaint from Shabeer, a local environmental activist. "The case was registered for releasing effluents into the water body and polluting it. IPC Sections 269 and 277 were invoked against it," he said, as per the report. IPC 269 refers to a negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, while IPC 277 pertains to fouling water of a public spring or reservoir.
Authorities and activists have been patrolling the industrial area along the banks of the Periyar River for some time. When the river's water turned black earlier this week, a search revealed that the company's waste discharge was the cause.
Following criticism from residents and opposition parties, the Kerala government held a meeting last month and devised long and short-term measures to prevent the recurrence of fish deaths in the Periyar River.
Environmental activists and local residents have alleged that authorities have not taken stringent enough measures against factories discharging chemical effluents into the river.