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Cauvery River Turns Toxic Green: Pollution Fears Mount
7 Oct
Summary
- Cauvery river water near Karur turned green and oily.
- Untreated industrial effluents from textile and sugar units suspected.
- Study flags heavy metals and health risks in river fish.
The Cauvery river near the Mayanur barrage in Karur district recently displayed a striking green color and an oily appearance. This transformation has led to significant concerns regarding the potential discharge of untreated industrial effluents from textile dyeing units and sugar mills situated along the river's banks. Authorities from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) collected water samples for analysis to determine the source of the suspected pollution.
Officials indicated that the pollution might not be originating from Karur district itself, suggesting a possible source from adjacent districts. Environmental activists voiced concerns that private industrial units might be exploiting increased rainfall and river flow to release untreated waste. These discharges are feared to impact the local fishery ecosystem, which relies on the Cauvery.
Compounding these worries, a recent study by Bharathidasan University revealed significant pollution in the Cauvery. The research identified cadmium and lead as primary contaminants in river sediments and fish, exceeding safe consumption thresholds. Researchers warned that unchecked pollution could lead to severe, long-term health issues for local populations, drawing parallels to historical industrial pollution incidents in Japan.
