Most rivers of Kerala polluted: study

The rivers of Kerala are polluted with various kinds of noxious waste, a study has found.
The pollution tests conducted under the joint auspices of the World Malayali Council Kerala province and the science and technology wing of Labour India paint a grim picture on the health of Kerala rivers.The studies, which were conducted in the 44 rivers of the State between November 7 and 12, indicated that most of the rivers were “polluted generally and the majority at an alarming level,” said V.J. George Kulangara, chairman of the council.The tests were carried out using the water monitoring kit supplied by the World Water Analysis Federation of the U.S. A copy of the report has been submitted to the Chief Minister. The survey was conducted at a time when most of the rivers were having good water flow and a large portion of the pollutants might have been washed away.The council plans to repeat the tests later when the water level recedes. New testing kits would be used during the tests, Mr. Kulangara said.

The Panamaram, a tributary of the Kabani river and the Mayyazhi river were found to be the most polluted rivers in the State with the presence of chemical and biological pollutants. Refuse from slaughterhouses and hospitals was also reaching the Panamaram. Insecticides, chemical fertilisers and other pollutants were also finding their way into the Panamaram. Fish death and fall in the fish population were also reported from here, the study said.
The Hindu, December 23, 2009