Periyar River Pollution Sparks Concerns Over Aquatic Life

According to a recent assessment by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB), the water quality in the Thumbunkal stream and Puthalamkadavu in the Edamula branch of the Periyar River near Kalamassery has deteriorated significantly. The PCB's findings, submitted to the Ministry of Jal Shakthi in September 2025, reveal that the water samples collected on June 2, 2025, showed low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, indicating poor water quality due to pollution.

The PCB has attributed the declining DO levels to the presence of excess organic matter and the illegal discharge of untreated wastewater into the waterways. This pollution has had a devastating impact on the local ecosystem, with the region witnessing multiple incidents of fish kills over the past two years.

The Kalamassery municipality has been informed about the PCB's findings, and some steps have been taken to address the issue. The construction of a dumping yard, a retaining wall, and a compound wall have been completed to prevent the flow of leachate from the waste dumping yard into the Thumbunkal stream. However, the State Level Monitoring Committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal has previously observed that the discharge of untreated sewage from the Kalamassery township, wastewater from the Kalamassery market, and leachate from the local body's waste dumping yard have all contributed to the pollution and fish kills in the Periyar.

As the authorities continue to work on addressing the pollution crisis, the residents of Kalamassery and the surrounding areas remain concerned about the long-term impact on the Periyar River and its delicate ecosystem.