Pollution of Karamana River triggers protest

 
The heavy pollution of the downstream stretches of Karamana River has triggered a protest movement on the Edayar Island and the mainland at Thriuvallam. Local people have joined hands with political parties and other organizations to highlight the environmental and health problems caused by the polluted waters of the river. They fear that the contamination would affect the region's nascent tourism industry. An action council formed by the local people has urged the Government for a major restoration effort. On Tuesday, the council organized a road blockade at Thiruvallam to highlight its demand. The Thiruvallam Block Congress Committee also staged a dharna in front of the Secretariat. Kovalam MLA George Mercier said the pollution of the river could be prevented by dredging the waters on the western side of the Edayar island to facilitate tidal flushing. He pointed out that heavy silting obstructs the flow around the island.


  (The Hindu, 18th March , 2007)