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Sanctuary Under Siege: Activists Fight River Pollution
29 Apr
Summary
- Activists are protecting Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and Sowparnika River.
- Illegal commercial activities are permitted within the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
- Untreated sewage discharge pollutes the Sowparnika River, activists claim.
Environmental advocates across Karnataka are launching a campaign to safeguard the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and the vital Sowparnika River. This initiative is gaining momentum, utilizing QR codes to educate and mobilize public support against purported environmental transgressions. Key environmental groups are raising alarms over unauthorized commercial operations within the designated Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
Activists report that untreated sewage is being directly discharged into the Sowparnika River, posing a significant ecological threat. They have communicated these serious and ongoing violations of the ESZ notification and the Wildlife Protection Act to forest officials. The current situation involves systematic illegal commercial activities, habitat disruption, and pollution, with a notable failure of regulatory bodies to enforce safeguards.
Concerns are particularly high as large-scale commercial ventures have been permitted within Kolluru village, which falls under the ESZ notification of April 13, 2017. This has led to ecological degradation that extends into the sanctuary, impacting wildlife and habitat integrity. The discharge of sewage into the river system contaminates the water, making it foul-smelling and ecologically unsound.
