Pampa pollution to blame for epidemic outbreak: ecologists

The Pampa Parirakshana Samiti (PPS), a Kozhencherry-based eco group, has attributed the viral fever outbreak in Pathanamthitta and adjoining districts since mid-January to the scant disregard for safe waste disposal that has resulted in pollution of the Pampa river, especially during the Sabarimala pilgrim season. ccording to PPS leaders N.K. Sukumaran Nair and Benzy Mathew, the viral fever that spread across Central Travancore soon after the pilgrim season reflected the criminal negligence on the part of the Government and the Travancore Devaswom Board in effectively checking the flow of filth into the Pampa.

Mr. Sukumaran Nair says the viral fever, with symptoms akin to chikungunya, was first reported from Ranni taluk that houses Sabarimala. The first viral fever case was reported from Chittar late January. A Central medical team that visited the fever-hit areas had said that the virus spreading the fever in the district was of the same kind detected in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, supporting the apprehension that the polluted Pampa could be the origin of the epidemic, he says. People residing in the river basin, especially those using the Pampa waters for domestic purposes have been afflicted with various water-borne diseases during the past few years. The PPS leaders allege that the Government has failed in utilising the Central funds allotted four years ago for implementing the first phase of the much sought-after Pampa Action Plan aimed at pollution abatement of the Pampa.

 

The Union Environment Ministry had allotted Rs.18.45 crore for implementing 11 pollution abatement schemes in Pampa on the foothills of Sabarimala in the first phase way back in May, 2003.The Pampa Action Plan also proposes pollution abatement schemes in 27 panchayats in Pathanamthitta district, seven panchayats in Alappuzha district and in Chengannur municipality, all situated on the banks of the Pampa in a time-bound manner.

But, the lethargic attitude of the official machinery and the TDB has inordinately delayed the implementation of even the first phase, Mr. Sukumaran Nair says.

(The Hindu, 31^st July 2007)