Chennai, Oct 8 (BPNS)
Even after repeated reminders from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Thamirabarani river in Tamil Nadu continues to be polluted.
Untreated sewage and organic waste from the villages on its banks and industries are leading to unabated pollution in the state. The river, according to environmentalists has been polluted beyond the limit by the direct discharge of sewage, and domestic and solid waste by many local bodies on the banks of the river.
Studies conducted by the environmental organization, Society For Action against Environment (SAAE) have found that the Marappanadu village which is on the banks of the river directly discharges around 54 kilolitres of untreated sewage into the river and near the drinking water pump house.
The study also found that 44.313 Million litres per day of sewage water are being discharged into the river from the local bodies. Test reports conducted on river water samples revealed that the mineral contents of the water did not meet the required standards.
Sumesh Ranganathan of SEEA while speaking to IANS said, “ The water quality standards of an important river like Thamiraiabarani which provides water to Tuticorin has to be improved and the Water Quality Criteria (WQC) to be maintained which is unfortunately not met even for bathing purposes.”
He said that the water samples collected at Manimutharu, Punnakayal, and Eral did not comply with the standards of Dissolved Oxygen. The study also found that at the Punnakayal village, the pollution is 6 times that of the permissible level.
The value of faecal coliform is also high in the waters of river Thamirabarani which incidentally is a major source of drinking water in many villages on the banks of it.
Sekhar Rajendran, another activist at Thoothukudi while speaking to IANS said, “ Even as the pollution control board has directed the local bodies to install sewage treatment plants for recycling the wastewater, it cannot be allowed and we strongly object to the discharge of sewage into the water even if it is treated one.”
It may be noted that the Special Bench of the National Green Tribunal has in May 2022 observed that despite spending Rs 52 crore under the National River Conservation Project, 80% of sewage was still getting mixed with the Thamirabarani water.
Human Rights activist, S.P. Muthuraman had complained to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to seek directions to initiate legal action against the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) officials and the Public Works Department (PWD) officials for the human rights violation.
He has quoted the Supreme Court observation in the Subash Kumar vs State of Bihar case that the right to live includes the right to enjoy pollution-free water and air.
Many rivers in Tamil Nadu are reeling under the menace of pollution with the officials divided over whether treated sewage could be discharged directly to the river or not. However, activists and environmentalists are of the opinion that direct discharge of sewage water even after treatment could increase the possibility of the river turning polluted with fecal coliform bacteria being detected in rivers wherein direct sewage discharge after treatment is conducted.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the PWD, the two bodies that are maintaining rivers must ensure that the water in rivers meets the Water Quality Standards and that the people live with the right to enjoy pollution-free water and air.
