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New Treatment Plant to Save Thekkady's Periyar Lake
21 Jul
Summary
- Wastewater from Kumily town pollutes Periyar lake.
- A new sewage treatment plant is planned for Anavachal.
- Untreated water harms wildlife and drinking water projects.
In Idukki, the Kumily panchayat is set to construct a Compact Sewage Treatment Plant (CSTP) to address the critical issue of wastewater polluting the Periyar lake in Thekkady. This initiative is crucial as untreated effluent from numerous resorts and businesses in Kumily, a major gateway to Thekkady, flows into a canal that directly feeds the lake.
The planned CSTP, to be located near Anavachal where the canal meets the Periyar lake, will effectively prevent wastewater from contaminating the water body. Kumily panchayat president M.M. Varghese emphasized that this project is essential for resolving the sanitation issue and supporting local drinking water supply to Kumily and Chakkupallom panchayats.
Furthermore, the panchayat has declared a strict policy against establishments discharging untreated wastewater. Notices will be issued, and businesses may face closure if they fail to arrange their own waste treatment systems. The ongoing efforts, discussed since 2014, are vital for Thekkady's tourism development and the preservation of wildlife in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, with full support from the district administration.
