High Court seeks exclusive authority for Periyar river conservation

Kerala High Court suggests exclusive authority like NGRBA for Periyar river conservation, pollution abatement, and monitoring.

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday reiterated its suggestion for constituting an exclusive authority on the lines of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the Periyar river.

The Bench led by Justice Devan Ramachandran made the suggestion during the hearing of petitions filed by Green Action Force and others regarding pollution and mass fish kill in the river.

The court observed that if an authority was constituted exclusively for the river, it could ensure the river’s permanent protection. It also noted that the formation of the NGRBA had borne fruit.

The court said that the State and Central pollution control boards merely monitored and advised authorities without effective action. It noted that every river globally had dedicated authorities and emphasised the need for a permanent authority to protect the Periyar.

The court urged the government to propose the formation of an authority for the effective conservation and protection of the river. It also suggested establishing monitoring stations along the 244-km river stretch, from source to mouth, to identify polluted areas and initiate corrective measures.

The court observed that many cities worldwide had special authorities dedicated to protecting and conserving rivers.

For instance, in London, the Thames river is safeguarded, and throwing even a piece of paper into the waterbody can lead to legal action. In Singapore, electric boats operate on a river that serves as a source of drinking water. The bench suggested that the Periyar should be preserved in a similar manner, ensuring it flows clean and clear.